A south-west Victorian doctor has slammed Portland District Health for the reasons given to divert maternity services.
Portland District Health (PDH) has paused the services for at least three months, citing a lack of midwives.
As a result, at least 30 pregnant women will be forced to travel more than an hour to either Warrnambool, Hamilton, or Mount Gambier to give birth.
Robert Harvey is an ophthalmologist at Portland District Health.
Dr Harvey said there was not a shortage of midwives at the hospital and there was no reason for the pause.
He has resigned, citing ongoing controversy about the hospital's financial viability and management, and displeasure at not being allowed to practice as a visiting medical officer.
"The midwifery level was sufficient to keep the service running without any gap," Dr Harvey said.
However, PDH has doubled-down on its position, stating it does not have enough midwives to fill a roster and run a safe service.
"The decision was made by the executive and staff to provide certainty to mothers and ensure safety while PDH actively recruits more midwives," a spokesperson said.
The hospital did not answer questions posed about maternity staff numbers, however it said an alternate roster system was unable to cover shortages.
'Not a safe work environment'
Dr Harvey submitted his resignation earlier this month and will finish working at Portland District Health this week.
He leaves behind a surgery waitlist of more than 150 people who will now need to travel to other clinics for operations.
Dr Harvey said the maternity staff at PDH were scared to speak out about the pause, and that the hospital now runs the risk of losing staff to other hospitals.
"This is completely unnecessary," Dr Harvey said.
"We feel that the board is under pressure to save money. And one way to do that would be to close birthing."
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has backed PDH's staffing claims, stating the service does not have enough midwives to fill a 24-hour day roster.
"ANMF met with its midwifery members in late February," said ANMF Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick.
"The diversion is distressing for the local community but it’s not a safe work environment for the midwives and it’s not safe to continue the birthing service without more midwives."
The ABC understands the hospital's midwives wrote a letter to the hospital's board noting their willingness to continue working.
Decision in best interests of mothers, babies: Minister
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said he was aware of the concerns raised by local health professionals.
"I've seen those suggestions, but what I've also seen is the clinical advice that says to the contrary," Mr Foley said.
"Midwifery and birthing services are not a 9am–5pm operation. They need to meet the appropriate standards, and I'm confident the arrangements that Portland has put in place will meet those standards."
The federation said it was investigating whether Portland could work under a similar caseload to Castlemaine Health in Central Victoria where midwives are rostered on once a fortnight at nearby Bendigo Health.
In this model, midwives see a caseload of up to 45 women per year.
However, Dr Harvey said it all might be coming a bit too late.
PDH is continuing to offer antenatal services and birthing classes while on diversion.
The hospital's spokesperson affirmed it plans to recommence birthing "as soon as it is safe to do so".
