The future of Maternity services at RPA Hospital is looking bright, with the redevelopment of RPA set to deliver state-of-the-art services across three spacious floors dedicated to care for women and babies.
 

The new 15-storey tower, being built as part of the redevelopment, will include a more spacious neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a floor for antenatal in-patient services and two floors for postnatal care. 

Simone Payn, Sydney Local Health District Principal Midwife Manager, said the brand-new locations for antenatal and postnatal in-patient services are designed to meet the needs of the community into the future. The facilities will include more single ensuite rooms, two new contemporary birthing suites with in-room baths and ensuites, and light-filled spaces with improved facilities. 

“The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) will offer a model of care that will mean mum and baby can be cared for within the one room. There will also be a family lounge, kitchen and laundry available to use in the NICU. This means more comfort, convenience and space for families while they help to care for their babies,” Ms Payn said. 

“I think staff will also like the layout of new clinical workrooms that adjoin two of the staff stations, providing a quiet space to work while still being able to see what’s happening out on the ward.” 

While completion of the redevelopment is an exciting prospect, construction work on site has regrettably caused noise and disruption and required the relocation of the Postnatal ward from level 5 to level 10.  

Ms Payn said that the temporary location on level 10 ensures mothers, babies and families can rest and recover in a calm and comfortable environment, however it means that most rooms will have two, three or four beds with a shared bathroom and toilet.  

A small number of single rooms will be maintained and prioritised for women based on clinical need.  

Due to the layout of rooms on level 10, partners will be unable to stay overnight, as is the case for any shared room arrangement on postnatal wards. 

“We know this will be disappointing for some mothers, but our obstetric team, postnatal midwives, physiotherapists and lactation consultants will continue to provide the same excellent care.” 

Mums and babies who are healthy and being cared for by RPA’s Midwifery Group Practice, the Wiyanga Gurung Midwifery Group Practice, the Maternity Antenatal Postnatal Service, or under the Birth Centre model of care, can choose to head home within 24 hours of having their baby.  

“If the option of heading home after 24 hours is a mother’s preference, they will receive a midwifery home visit within 24 hours of discharge.” 

“Other families may choose to go home on the Midwifery@Home program within 48 hours of having a baby, and our staff will discuss the most suitable options with mothers after their baby is born.”