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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Adeshola Ore

Home births cancelled at short notice due to Victoria’s ambulance crisis

Ambulances outside of Sunshine Hospital
Sunshine hospital has paused its publicly funded home-birth program, with pressures in the state’s ambulance services said to be contributing to the suspension. Photograph: Luis Ascui/AAP

Expectant mothers are having planned home births cancelled within weeks of their due dates, with Victoria’s ambulance crisis putting intense strain on the state’s maternity services.

Victoria has just two publicly funded home-birth programs at Sunshine and Casey hospitals – both of which are now temporarily suspended. Assisted home births require ambulances to be available in case of any complications during the procedure.

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