Bridget Archer should be ashamed of herself.

Tasmanian mothers should not have to choose between getting the specialist mental health care they need and staying with their babies. 

Yet, those are the options the Health Minister is presenting Tasmanians with as the Royal Hobart Hospital specialist Mother Baby Unit closes, and the replacement service at St John’s Park is set to provide a lower level of care.

In Question Time today, Minister Archer couldn’t guarantee that women won’t fall through the cracks, like the brave healthcare workers who spoke out have warned.

She refused to step in and retain a specialist inpatient Mother Baby Unit where mothers can have their babies with them.

All the Minister could do was read off a carefully prepared script of spin about “decisions being made by clinicians” which completely glossed over the fears of workers who bravely spoke out.

It is completely disingenuous for the Liberals to claim that what is proposed for St John’s Park is not a reduction in capability. 

If it’s the same care that is being provided now – why are workers so concerned?

The value of full-service mother baby units can’t be underestimated – they literally save lives.

The Government should be ensuring a full-service Mother Baby Unit will exist alongside the new parenting service and guarantee that mothers experiencing serious mental illness can access the care they need without being separated from their babies.

Sadly, it seems like Minister Archer’s hands are tied by the $700 million worth of cuts Eric Abetz is making to the health system.