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Question and Answer Tracking Details

2735 - ACE SERVICE CLOSURE

Hornery, Sonia to the Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research
  1. Why was a decision made by John Hunter Hospital to close the ACE Service, which supports women who experience antenatal and postnatal depression?
  2. When was this decision made?
  3. Was it due to funding cutbacks in Hunter Health?
  4. How much money will the Government save by closing this service?
  5. (a) Are there other services available to women experiencing antenatal and postnatal depression?
    (b) If not, will the closure of this service adversely impact on women's health in the Hunter?
Answer -

I am advised:

(1) to (3) A recent review of the ACE service conducted by John Hunter Hospital identified that the service lacked integration with Maternity Services, Mental Health and Child and Family Health Services, and was not working within a contemporary midwifery model.

ACE staff were informed of the decision to integrate the service on 2 August 2012 and the ACE Service ceased to operate on 31 August 2012. The service was integrated into Maternity Services, Mental Health and Child and Family Health Services to provide high quality, contemporary service to the women who require these services.

(4) Resources are being redirected into midwifery roles within the Division of Maternity and Gynaecology. There are no savings from these changes to service delivery.

(5) The Family Care Midwives Team is available to women experiencing antenatal and postnatal depression. The Family Care Midwives Team provides an efficient contemporary model of care that works within the Primary Maternity Services Framework of Australia in accordance with the model set out in the Families NSW Supporting Families Early Package.

Question asked on 4 September 2012 (session 55-1) and printed in Questions & Answers Paper No. 110
Answer received on 9 October 2012 and printed in Questions & Answers Paper No. 119

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