"Short staffed"

Dear indigojj87,

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback on your recent experience with the Women and Newborn Health Service (WNHS).

WNHS is currently experiencing an unprecedented period of high demand. The general increase in demand, plus the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hindered efforts to attract staff from outside of Western Australia (WA) to work in our hospitals, is putting additional strain on the WA health system. A number of strategies are in place to address the staff shortage, including a recruitment drive for midwives and perioperative nurses at a national and international level.

I would like to assure you that patient safety and wellbeing remains our key focus and our staff are committed to providing our patients with the best level of care possible. Our clinical team will make an assessment so that those mothers and babies requiring more immediate care are prioritised, to ensure the needs of any individual patient are appropriately met.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to us about your recent experience with our health service. Should you wish to discuss your experience with our service further, I would encourage your wife to make contact with the Consumer Liaison Service (CLS) on 6458 1444 where an investigation and an individualised response can be provided to you.

I wish you and your wife all the best for the future.

Kind regards

Jodi Graham