It will support the delivery of maternity services for the Benalla community, ensuring expectant mothers receive high-quality care close to home.
Benalla Health, supported by GV Health, will provide comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care, including midwifery and obstetric clinics, antenatal classes, breastfeeding support and post-birth domiciliary care.
Midwifery assessment will be available onsite at Benalla 24/7, under the guidance of GV Health obstetricians, and expectant mothers will have access to a range of GV Health specialists via in-person or telehealth appointments.
Births will take place at GV Health’s Shepparton hospital, which offers four recently upgraded birthing rooms, each featuring a private ensuite with shower, facilities for a support person to stay overnight and appropriate equipment to accommodate both high- and low-risk births.
Water birth facilities are also available for low-risk women.
With the recent roll-out of a fully integrated Patient Administration System across the Hume region, clinicians and staff at both health services now share access to unified health records, ensuring seamless continuity of care.
Benalla Health chief executive Jackie Kelly said the organisation understood how important it was for local families to have access to consistent and compassionate maternity care.
“The partnership between Benalla Health and GV Health will allow expectant mothers to receive local care at Benalla Health while benefiting from the expertise and expanded resources of GV Health,” Ms Kelly said.
GV Health chief executive Matt Sharpe agreed.
“Together, we are committed to delivering exceptional care and ensuring a safe and high-quality maternity service for people in Benalla,” Mr Sharp said.
Benalla Health and GV Health will ensure engagement with the community, GPs and service providers about maternity services at Benalla is ongoing.
A community information session was held on Wednesday, August 27, and another forum will be held on Wednesday, September 24.
This engagement will help inform plans to recommence birthing services at Benalla Health in the future.
For more information about GV Health’s maternity services, visit gvhealth.org.au/our-services/maternity-services/
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