The Nationals WA have vowed to restore maternity services at Carnarvon Hospital within the first 100 days of forming Government, warning that the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) board must resign if they fail to meet this directive.
Leader of The Nationals WA and Member for Moore Shane Love MLA said the ongoing closure of maternity services under the Cook Labor Government was an “absolute disgrace”.
“For more than 1,000 days, it has been impossible to have a baby in Carnarvon. This is the largest community in the Gascoyne and WA Labor has completely abandoned it,” Mr Love said.
“WA Labor promised this would be a ‘temporary’ closure, yet almost three years later, mothers are still forced to travel hundreds of kilometres to Geraldton or Perth just to give birth.
“The Cook Labor Government and WACHS have utterly failed to make the restoration of maternity services a priority.”
Mr Love said it was the core responsibility of WACHS to deliver high-quality healthcare in the regions, yet under WA Labor’s watch, Carnarvon had been left behind.
“The Nationals in Government will direct WACHS to use all resources available to restore maternity services at Carnarvon Hospital – no more delays, no more excuses,” Mr Love said.
“When I toured Carnarvon Hospital in April 2024, WACHS staff assured me maternity services would be restored imminently. Yet nearly 10 months later, nothing has changed. This is a failure of leadership.
“Reopening maternity services is entirely achievable in the short-term, the only thing missing is the political will to make it happen. WA deserves a Country Health Service that actually cares about country people.”
Shadow Minister for Regional Health, Martin Aldridge MLC, said more than 200 families had been affected by the closure, with some women being diverted as far as Busselton – over 1,000 kilometres from home.
“WA Labor’s failure to restore Carnarvon maternity services has cost taxpayers nearly $1 million in travel and accommodation subsidies alone,” Mr Aldridge said.
“But the biggest cost is to families. Mothers forced to leave their homes, support networks, and communities during one of the most important times in their lives.”
Mr Aldridge said the lack of maternity services also impacts broader women’s health services in the region.
“Obstetricians don’t just deliver babies – they also provide support during pregnancy and deliver post-natal care, as well as providing critical healthcare for women at all life stages.”
“Restoring maternity services in Carnarvon will reduce the need for costly, time consuming travel to Geraldton and Perth while also ensuring better access to essential healthcare for women.”
