June 2007

Record 100 for Yarrawonga Health

Yarrawonga District Health Service for the first time in history has recorded 100 births in a year in its flourishing maternity unit.

‘Our service has continued to grow through the development of both the unit and models of care,’ said Yarrawonga District Health Service Chief Executive Officer Andrew Freeman.

‘We have a dedicated team of midwives and obstetricians who provide a first rate service.’

‘It is the clinicians who work and support this unit who have made this possible,’ said Director of Clinical Service Terry Welch.

‘The team orientation of our midwives and obstetricians has enabled service developments antenatally with woman and partners receiving education and support not previously available.

‘We began the Shared Care antenatal clinic 18 months ago with the support of the Department of Human Services through the Rural Maternity initiative and believe these developments are a dramatic reason for the growth and popularity of the service.’

Yarrawonga has four GP/obstetricians.

‘The services we provide here are second to none,’ said GP/obstetrician Peter Keppel.

‘We are extremely proud of this high quality service we deliver and to have more than 100 births this year is testament to the services provided by all involved.

‘The benefits of the service expansion, in particular the antenatal clinic, are demonstrated in the service growth and overall popularity,’ Dr Keppel said.