An estimated 1,700 babies a year will be delivered at Mater Hospital Springfield, with the first baby expected to be born following the launch of its maternity service in the coming days.
With the countdown to Mater Springfield’s first birth now underway, Health and Ambulance Services Minister Tim Nicholls visited the maternity department team today to meet local women who will be among the first to give birth at the hospital and to watch staff participate in a birth simulation training exercise.
Mums-to-be from across the Western Corridor are already attending antenatal classes at the brand-new facility, while clinical staff are readying its six birthing suites, 16 patient rooms and 16 Neonatal Critical Care Unit cots for the first intake of mothers and babies.
Mater Hospital Springfield began a phased opening of services on Monday 13 April and will become fully operational when its Emergency Department opens on Monday 25 May.
The 186-bed facility adjoins Mater Private Hospital Springfield and will provide services for public patients under an agreement between the Queensland Government and Mater.
Mater Hospital Springfield is forecast to see 185,000 patient presentations a year, with on-site medical specialties including orthopedics, pediatrics, urology, oncology and general medicine.
“While the excitement is building with just five days to go until the first baby is born here at Mater Hospital Springfield, the whole community of the western corridor will benefit from the Crisafulli Government’s investment here,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We don’t know who the first baby born at Mater Hospital Springfield will be – but I do know they will be in great hands.
“As well as providing high-quality maternity services, Mater will deliver, in partnership with the Queensland Government, the public healthcare services this growing region needs.”
Mater Group Chief Executive Officer Julia Strickland-Bellamy thanked the Queensland Government for its investment in one of the state’s fastest-growing communities.
“For 120 years, Mater’s Mission has been to respond to unmet healthcare needs, providing compassionate care to communities across Queensland,” Ms Strickland-Bellamy said.
“Thanks to our strong partnership with the Queensland Government, Mater is set to provide hospital-based healthcare for Springfield for generations to come.
“Mater Hospital Springfield will transform health services across the western corridor, delivering high-quality care in the heart of the community.”
Mater Hospital Springfield General Manager Suzanne Hawksley said Mater midwives, nurses and obstetricians were excited to be preparing for Springfield’s first Mater baby.
“Until now local mums have had to travel to Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane, or Ipswich and Logan, to have their babies,” Ms Hawksley said.
“Years of work has gone into the planning, building and opening of Mater Hospital Springfield and it’s hard to believe we will soon be welcoming our first babies.
“We are all excited to be part of such a huge moment for Springfield and its wonderful families.”
Around 1,000 people will be employed at the hospital, including 130 doctors and 500 nurses and midwives.
