Australia invests $3.6m to upgrade Canberra Hospital’s maternity care

Two obstetric operating theatre suites are set to be refurbished.

The Australian Capital Territory government has invested $3.6m (A$5.5m) to refurbish two dedicated obstetric operating theatre suites and a post anaesthetic care unit at Canberra Hospital.

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the operating theatres would improve the hospital’s capacity for scheduled caesarean procedures and when complications emerge during births.

The refurbished theatre suites feature a new eight-bay recovery area, a holding area, smart LED operating lights, medication rooms, storage areas, and a scrub bay.

“Having dedicated obstetric theatres close to Centenary Hospital for Women and Children supports efficient and timely emergency obstetric care,” Stephen-Smith said.

The theatre suites are expected to be operational by the end of May, following a brief commissioning process.

A$1 = $0.65