A hospital in Brisbane’s south has ended its obstetrics and maternity services, three weeks after they were paused. 

In a statement posted to Facebook earlier this week, Sunnybank Private Hospital general manager Claire Gauci explained the decision was taken due to a decline in births at the hospital.

Obstetrician-gynecologist Gino Pecoraro told Sofie Formica said women’s health has been chronically underfunded at a national level for years.

“The rebates from both Medicare and private health funds haven’t kept up with the increases in costs in providing the services,” he said.

“Insurance has skyrocketed for obstetricians, technology has absolutely gone through the roof and yet, for half the tests we’re expected to offer pregnant women, there isn’t even a Medicare rebate.”

He said it’s led to many women choosing to have their babies in the public system, even if they’re covered by insurance.

“Even though they’ve got health cover, the health cover they’ve got is really, really unfair because the private health insurance companies have been able to get away with charging women double what they charge men.”

“If you’re a woman and there’s a chance you can get pregnant, unless you’ve got gold, top-level cover, they’ll disown you.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview 

Image: Sunnybank Private Hospital / Facebook