News

First birthday for Mildura Health Private Hospital Post Natal Service

Wed, 11 Feb 2015 11:36:00

Mildura Health Private Hospital has had an average three mothers and babies a week through the hospital’s new Post Natal Service in its first year of operation.

The Post Natal Service celebrated its first birthday today, with a morning tea for families who have been through the unit since it opened on January 6 last year.

The Private Hospital does not have a birthing suite, but the Post Natal Care Service accepts women and their babies after births, including caesarian sections, from other hospitals.
“We were confident that there was strong demand before we opened the service – but I think everyone has been surprised by the fact that we have had 174 families through in the first year,” said the Post Natal Care Associate Nurse Unit Manager Jo Paxton.
“Those numbers clearly show that parents are welcoming having the choice to come here – and their feedback about the care they have received is overwhelmingly positive,” she said.
The five-bed unit is within the hospital’s Banksia ward, with the mums and babies coming under the supervision of their own Obstetrician.  Mildura Health Private Hospital’s midwives, lactation consultants and maternal and child health nurses provide the hands-on daily care.
The service aims to offer a choice to parents about care after the birth of their baby, and to provide personalized support in the family’s transition from birth to home.
“Families often comment that they really appreciate feeling un-hurried during their time here,” Ms Paxton said. “We can provide them with almost one-on-one attention to ensure mums get the support they need in developing breastfeeding and early parenting skills,”
“Families enjoy the fact that it is a relaxed environment where mothers are able to rest and recuperate and dads are welcome to stay overnight.”
“Almost all of our families comment about the peace and quiet and the benefit of a longer stay in allowing them to feel just that bit more confident – particularly first-time parents.”
The Mildura Health Private Hospital is owned by the member-owned, not-for-profit Mildura Health Fund, with all profits reinvested into hospital services.

Some of the testimonies from mothers received on the hospital’s consumer feedback forms include:

“Amazing midwives were my angels - deserve so much credit for where I am at with how I feel and my confidence with feeding.  Thank you Thank you Thank you.”

“My stay at MPH has been fantastic.  The staff have far exceeded any expectations I had.  Having a baby can be a very daunting experience and yet I am going home feeling rested, relaxed, confident, well informed and cared for.  Thank you to all the amazing staff for their exemplary service.”

“On the arrival of my baby daughter I was scared, anxious and worried about what I was to do next.  However, when I arrived at Mildura Private, the midwives took me under their wings and showed me the way.  They shared their knowledge and skills with me and were always there to help with a smile and reassurance.  My experience has been invaluable, and for that I am forever grateful.”

“Fantastic - I would definitely recommend post-natal care at MPH.”

“I am very appreciative of all staff at the Private Hospital.  My partner and I now feel we are able to give our baby the best care and start to life - thanks to your guidance.”