Mrs BRAHAM - 1995-10-18
As the minister knows, the Territory has the highest birth rate in Australia. Are there any developments in Royal Darwin Hospital's facilities to handle the increasing number of women of childbearing age in the Territory and the associated growing birth rate?
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a lovely question, if I may say so. I had the privilege of visiting Royal Darwin Hospital's new birthing suites and special care nursery only last month. In fact, I participated in an opening ceremony with the staff and some patients.
Mr Stirling: Did you take Phil along?
Ms Martin: You did not invite any members of the Labor Party.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! A question has been asked of the minister. I would appreciate being able to hear his answer.
Mr FINCH: This is a very exciting question for a number of reasons. Not only has the Northern Territory's birth rate risen, as the member points out, but there has been an average of about 128 births per month in the first 9 months of this year compared with 110 births per month previously. That is a considerable increase. The day before we attended the opening of the new birthing suites, they had a record number of births. Although we have quite a large contingent of midwives and support staff, they were all kept very busy with the 15 or 17 births that took place on that day. It was quite an extraordinary number.
Mr Coulter: No twins?
Mr FINCH: I am sure there must have been some multiple births amongst them.
The birthing suites are state-of-the-art, and very well appointed. Some credit for that must go to the Royal Darwin Hospital Auxiliary which made a significant contribution towards fundraising to fit out the birthing suites with soft furnishings. I was raised in an era when fathers were not allowed anywhere near birthing suites or their wives when they were having babies. Some members might have shared that kind of upbringing. Fortunately, these days, not only is it acceptable for fathers to be present, but they are positively encouraged to attend the birth of their children.
The facilities at Royal Darwin Hospital would compare favourably with those at any private facility. They are excellent. That includes the special care nursery where there are 18 beds for babies with special needs. I was most impressed with some of the new state-of-the-art equipment there. Again, it is a very inviting and warm environment for mothers, fathers and their babies.
Looking at the young students in the gallery from the Holy Family School and the students from Northern Territory University, I think we should have great faith in the future. These young Territorians are being well educated and are participating fully in their communities. I think the facilities at Royal Darwin Hospital provide the most perfect of entries into this Territorian world. I congratulate all the staff there on the marvellous job they do and on making mothers and fathers feel comfortable about their experience. I wish them all good luck for the future. I hope they will break a few more records.
Page 896
Page 895
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a lovely question, if I may say so. I had the privilege of visiting Royal Darwin Hospital's new birthing suites and special care nursery only last month. In fact, I participated in an opening ceremony with the staff and some patients.
Mr Stirling: Did you take Phil along?
Ms Martin: You did not invite any members of the Labor Party.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! A question has been asked of the minister. I would appreciate being able to hear his answer.
Mr FINCH: This is a very exciting question for a number of reasons. Not only has the Northern Territory's birth rate risen, as the member points out, but there has been an average of about 128 births per month in the first 9 months of this year compared with 110 births per month previously. That is a considerable increase. The day before we attended the opening of the new birthing suites, they had a record number of births. Although we have quite a large contingent of midwives and support staff, they were all kept very busy with the 15 or 17 births that took place on that day. It was quite an extraordinary number.
Mr Coulter: No twins?
Mr FINCH: I am sure there must have been some multiple births amongst them.
The birthing suites are state-of-the-art, and very well appointed. Some credit for that must go to the Royal Darwin Hospital Auxiliary which made a significant contribution towards fundraising to fit out the birthing suites with soft furnishings. I was raised in an era when fathers were not allowed anywhere near birthing suites or their wives when they were having babies. Some members might have shared that kind of upbringing. Fortunately, these days, not only is it acceptable for fathers to be present, but they are positively encouraged to attend the birth of their children.
The facilities at Royal Darwin Hospital would compare favourably with those at any private facility. They are excellent. That includes the special care nursery where there are 18 beds for babies with special needs. I was most impressed with some of the new state-of-the-art equipment there. Again, it is a very inviting and warm environment for mothers, fathers and their babies.
Looking at the young students in the gallery from the Holy Family School and the students from Northern Territory University, I think we should have great faith in the future. These young Territorians are being well educated and are participating fully in their communities. I think the facilities at Royal Darwin Hospital provide the most perfect of entries into this Territorian world. I congratulate all the staff there on the marvellous job they do and on making mothers and fathers feel comfortable about their experience. I wish them all good luck for the future. I hope they will break a few more records.
Page 896
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016