A decision to re-instate two senior midwives recently stood down from Burnie's North West Private Hospital has been welcomed.

However, Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest said it should not have been allowed to happen in the first place.

"I am very pleased to see these midwives re-instated, and we need to be sure such a decision is not made again during this (coronavirus) health crisis," Ms Forrest said.

It comes after the NWPH chose to let the midwives go at a time when more medical staff were desperately needed. There was no reduction in the public birthing services the hospital has a contract to provide.

It was met with disbelief and concerns were raised in The Advocate by Ms Forrest, a Burnie obstetrician and a health union about how public birthing services paid for by taxpayers were provided with less staff.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said she was disappointed at the decision.

NWPH chief executive Keith Cock was contacted for comment.

Ms Forrest said she appreciated the rapid response to her call for a review of "this ill-conceived and appallingly handled decision by HealtheCare".

"It seems matters other than the best interests of women and babies were driving the decision, and this likely occurred at levels above local management," Ms Forrest said.

"However, to have a health care provider put money or other considerations before the health, safety, and welfare of mothers and babies is totally unacceptable.

"Senior, experienced midwives are essential to managing risk and complications that can and do arise for some women during labour and birth.

"The fact that NWPH provides a publicly funded, public maternity service adds to the complete lack of regard HealtheCare has shown for women and families of the NW region - from Devonport to Smithton, Queenstown to King Island."

It's believed the midwives were re-instated because of the new partnership with the federal government to guarantee the viability of the private hospital sector, ensuring its full capacity is available for the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Health Minister Greg Hunt announced the agreement, saying the Commonwealth would underwrite private hospitals to keep them open and clinicians employed to provide high-quality private hospital care to Australians.

 The Advocate Wednesday 1 April, 2020