Rush of mainland mothers has put us under stress too, says community midwife
Midwives providing pre- and post-natal care in the community appear lukewarm about helping out hard-pressed colleagues working in public hospitals, which are seeing a surge in mainland mothers giving birth.
One community midwife says the health centres where they work are also understaffed and that they, too, are feeling the strain from the influx of mainland mothers.
Even the lure of being taken off night shifts in return for helping out in hospitals - for as little as two hours a day - has largely failed to sway the 308 community midwives. Fewer than 10 have shown interest in hospital work since they were asked to consider the idea last week, the Department of Health admits.
The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau and the Hospital Authority are considering several measures to reduce the number of mainland women giving birth at public hospitals and to raise staffing on obstetric wards.
The proposals included charging non-resident mothers more, importing midwives and training more midwives.
A veteran community midwife, who asked not to be named, said: 'It is natural that many of us are not interested in secondment to the public hospitals. The situation is so stressful there.
