Geelong's Epworth Hospital has announced it will close its maternity ward by the end of March.
Hospital staff were called into a meeting this morning, after two months of consultation, and told the maternity unit would close on March 31 this year.
The private hospital first proposed the closure in November last year due to ongoing staff shortages, particularly midwives.
The proposal led to a number of protests and community meetings led by local obstetricians, GPs, nurses and parents demanding the ward remain open.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Epworth said the closure was going ahead because of "current ongoing workforce challenges" that would limit the hospital's ability to provide safe, high-quality care.
Interim chief executive Cameron Fuller said there were about 14 full-time equivalent roles vacant across its maternity service — a 44 per cent vacancy rate — including midwives available for night shift and to work in the birth suite.
Mr Fuller acknowledged existing midwifery staff who reached out during the consultation phase "to express interest in increasing their hours or moving to our permanent roster".
"Even with these potential additions, we would still have a 35 per cent vacancy," Mr Fuller said.
"This has not been an easy decision to make and Epworth understands the impact this will have on many people. We acknowledge the distress this will cause."
Around 100 current Epworth patients are due to give birth after March 31 and will need to make arrangements at one of Geelong's two other maternity wards — Barwon Health's University Hospital and the private St John of God Hospital.
Hospital referred to consumer watchdog
The loss of a maternity ward comes as Geelong faces an expected population surge of 46 per cent over the next 20 years.
Local GP Elise Davey had spearheaded community opposition to the closure and said Epworth's board could have done more to keep the unit open.
"This is a devastating day for Geelong, this is a devastating day for so many affected families," Dr Davey said.
"I feel that the community of Geelong is owed an apology from the Epworth, I do not believe that they have been transparent through this consultation phase and I don't think they've been respectful of their staff nor of their community."
Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson has referred the Epworth to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) over the handling of the consultation process.
The ACCC said it had received the matter and was considering the issues raised.
Barwon Health and St John of God hospitals have previously said they would accommodate the births planned for the Epworth.
But Dr Davey expressed reservations about the only other private hospital in the region — St John of God Hospital — taking on births due to it not providing services such as contraception and IVF services.
Nurses union says hospital has showed 'little initiative' in building workforce
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) said the closure was "a missed opportunity".
ANMF acting secretary Paul Gilbert said since the proposal was announced last year the union had continued to advocate hospital management introduce initiatives "to help recruit midwives and retain its experienced workforce" including retention payments, flexible work arrangements, and midwifery leadership structure.
"Epworth Geelong is competing in a tight midwifery workforce market, but has displayed little initiative in investing in its midwifery workforce," he said.
Mr Gilbert said the ANMF was working with Epworth staff and patients on continuity of care models so "women see the same midwife from their antenatal visits, birth, and through to their postnatal and extended postnatal care in the home".
