Nurses warn of ‘imminent collapse’ at King Edward Memorial Hospital due to midwife shortage

Nurses are warning a critical shortage of midwives at King Edward Memorial hospital will lead to “tragic events” for expecting families amid a “post-Covid baby boom.” Whistle blowers inside the specialist women and newborn hospital say a collapse of the internal system at King Edward Memorial is “imminent” because of the shortage. “It’s so bad, it’s dangerous and staff are refusing to work in high risk areas,” one insider told 7News. “Doctors are crying, not knowing how to improve this. . . midwives are leaving.” They say only a “handful” of applications were received by the hospital in response to 42 midwife positions being recently advertised. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s WA secretary Mark Olsen has warned “If we don't find more staff, then we will have tragic events.” “It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when,” he said. The critical shortage is leading the hospital to pressure staff to work double shifts, meaning midwives are forced to work up to 18 hours a day and 60 hours a week, according to whistleblowers. Australian Medical Association WA president Andrew Miller said some women are waiting up to four days to have an induction. Health minister Roger Cook dismissed there was a critical shortage at the hospital.” “Quite frankly the claims that are being made today are outrageous,” he said.