Delivering choice at AHS’ Maternity Unit

Armadale Health Service (AHS) had a special mid-week visitor last Wednesday, with Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson stopping by to inaugurate the hospital’s much-anticipated birthing suite.

The official opening represents a new era of maternity care at AHS, offering expectant mothers another option for their birthing experience. With a permanent bath now available, the suite presents the possibility of water births, providing an alternative to traditional epidural or spinal analgesia.

Minister Sanderson expressed her absolute delight at the additional maternity services AHS is now able to offer mums in the catchment.

"This new birthing suite is a elcome addition to the already busy Maternity Ward here at AHS," she said.

"What we hear from WA women is that they want options when it comes to birthing, and that is what the birthing suite offers.

"This contemporary model of care will provide women with a greater choice of birth setting with the overarching goal of enabling women-centred care and positive birth experiences,” she added.

During her visit, Minister Sanderson had the opportunity to tour the maternity unit, where she met with a new mother and her newborn child, witnessing firsthand the impact of the suite on patients' lives.

Additionally, she also met with AHS Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Dr Sangeeta Malla Bhat and a group of excited midwives – all proud ambassadors of the collaborative efforts here at the Maternity Unit.

"Having the minister visit Armadale was fantastic, as we got to show off all the hard work we've been putting in to provide the best level of maternity care to the women of our community," Sangeeta said.

"We were also delighted to share our involvement in Every Week Counts, which is a Pre-Term Birth National Collaborative, including our recent experience presenting at the national conference in Canberra.

“It was particularly proud moment for our team to share with the Minister that as a level four health service, AHS has the second highest rate of babies born after 39 weeks gestation across Australia.”