Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs “Now that’s done, and it’s been gutted, we won’t get a maternity ward opened in the future,” Falconer said. “This has thrown our hospital back 20 years.”Acting Central Coast Local Health District chief executive Jude Constable said the construction of a new palliative care unit required the relocation of accommodation for doctors, and the unused birthing unit was identified as a temporary location until a permanent site is found.Constable said obstetric-led birthing services had not been provided at Wyong since 2008. She confirmed birthing baths had been removed but said they “were no longer fit for purpose”.“All other birthing suite infrastructure has been retained to enable the space to be returned to its original use, if required,” Constable said.Dobson said Gosford Hospital was already struggling to keep up with around 3000 births a year, and would not be able to absorb the impact of the private hospital’s closure.“Nobody’s listening to us,” she said. “Where is the care of women and children on the Central Coast?”Wyong MP David Harris said he had spoken to Health Minister Ryan Park to request “an urgent meeting to ensure that maternity services are part of any future upgrades to Wyong Hospital”.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
