Camden pauses post-natal care
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Camden Hospital's postnatal care unit is on a three-month break. (ABC News)
The New South Wales Opposition says cost-cutting not staff shortages is behind the extended closure of Camden Hospital's postnatal care unit.
The unit, in Sydney's south-west, normally shuts down over Christmas but this year closed in November and will not reopen until late January.
Mothers seeking postnatal care will have to go to Campbelltown Hospital instead, where it is busier.
Sheldon Tuxford expects to give birth within weeks and was expecting postnatal care at Camden Hospital.
"Our midwife has told us that there is pressure [at Campbelltown] for people to get in and get out, you know within 24 hours," she said.
The Sydney South West Area Health Service says the extended break is because of staff shortages.
But the Opposition's health spokeswoman, Jillian Skinner, says the real reason is the service's poor finances.
"That is plain and simple a budgetary measure to save money," she said.
"It means that those mums will either go straight home and struggle or they'll have to stay in Campbelltown Hospital which is already crowded.
Ms Skinner says some new mothers may ignore post natal services entirely.
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