The midwives are concerned GSAHS will cut a job share position in half. The position provides women in Jindabyne and Bombala access to pre and postnatal care.

Two midwives currently working out of the Cooma Maternity Ward work five days a fortnight each. One visits Bombala once a fortnight the other Jindabyne once a week.

If the feared cuts were to go ahead the services to Bombala and Jindabyne would be scrapped because the midwives would not be able get out of Cooma.

The midwives will be forced to do twice the job in half the time and pregnant women from as far as Michelago to Delegate, Thredbo, Jindabyne and Berridale would have to travel to Cooma to book into the unit to give birth and attend birthing classes.

Midwives fear women will be put at risk having to travel home late at night in adverse conditions through snow and ice in winter and with the added risk of kangaroos on the road if the hours are scrapped.

There are also fears the child and family health nurse in Cooma will have hours reduced.

GSAHS has denied the cuts saying “all current midwifery services will be maintained, including outreach services to Bombala and Jindabyne.”

However, the Area Health Service is currently developing new nurse staffing rosters in consultation with staff and the NSW Nurses’ Association.

The new rosters are being introduced as new nurse staff profiles are being negotiated in each health facility across GSAHS.

The Award has a reasonable workloads clause where the level of staffing is determined by the amount of work.

To ensure nurses have a reasonable workload, staffing is flexed up or down according to hospital activity and occupancy.

Health workers are concerned the community again has not been consulted with nurses from both A Level and Community Health also saying plans to reduce positions and hours in their sections were rushed and without consultation.

GSAHS is in daily discussions with nurses and the NSW Nurses Association about any proposed reduction in hours for staff.