Standing down midwives when the State Government has a recruitment campaign to increase the size of the health workforce to cope with the coronavirus emergency did not make sense, a health union spokesman said.

"For this sort of thing to be happening is extremely alarming," said Health and Community Services Union assistant state secretary Robbie Moore.

The North West Private Hospital is not responding to calls to ask why it let go of two senior midwives in the middle of a health crisis. There has been no reduction in the public birthing services the NWPH provides under a contract with the Tasmanian Health Service. NWPH chief executive Keith Cock was contacted on Monday and Tuesday for comment.

"It doesn't make sense when we know we are going to need more health professionals to be standing people down who have skills we're going to need over the coming months as this outbreak worsens," Mr Moore said.
Burnie obstetrician Kim Dobromilsy was concerned at the loss of senior staff.

"In difficult times, we rely more on the experienced, senior team members in obstetrics. The workload has actually increased due to vulnerable staff going on leave and all of the added precautions we are taking to keep mums and their newborns safe," Dr Dobromilsky said.

Labor Leader Rebecca White called on the government to work quickly with private hospitals to prevent the loss of vital workers.

Ms White said federal plans to integrate private hospitals with the COVID-19 response would require a quick response from the State Liberals.

About the NWPH's decision to stand down midwives Health Minister Sarah Courtney said on Monday, at a time when "we are actively expanding our healthcare workforce across Tasmania this is a very disappointing decision." She asked the Secretary of the Department to investigate urgently.

The Advocate Thursday 2 April, 2020