St.LukesHealth’s postnatal service in Northern Tasmanian has celebrated its first birthday.
St.LukesHealth entered the private post-natal market after Calvary Healthcare closed its St Vincent’s post-natal unit in December 2016.
The closure meant expectant mothers in Northern Tasmania were left with no other option than to be a private patient in the Launceston General Hospital.
In the first 12 months of the St.LukesHealth service, 102 mothers and 104 babies have used the hotel-based and home-based program.
Consultants made 306 visits to families, with many mothers also receiving follow-up phone calls in the weeks after they went home.
St.LukesHealth chairman Chris Dockray said he was pleased to offer members a personalised service where families can receive support to help them bond with their newborn and address any health or feeding concerns.
“This service helps alleviate some of the stress that families may have when they have a child,” he said.
“We are pleased to work in partnership with the Mantra Charles Hotel, as well as with many other providers to offer this service.”
St.LukesHealth is a Tasmanian not-for-profit health fund. It has six customer care centres around the state and employs 136 Tasmanians.