Maternity, birthing and special care 2021.
In 2021 the Maternity Unit of the Maitland Hospital was located in the Robert Brown wing designed partly as a maternity facility and opened in 1978. Its hexagonal shape was cutting edge architecture for its time although it did not always cater well for maternity purposes: spaces were on top of each other, it was difficult to keep clean.
Nearby, in an earlier building with views across the floodplain, were the Birthing Unit and the Special Care Unit for premature babies and for those with special care needs.
As part of her commission to photograph the Maitland Hospital during the last year of its operation on the Campbell’s Hill site, Catharine Neilson visited the birthing, maternity and special care units. She photographed the staff, spaces, facilities and the variety of ways in which staff and others enlivened and softened the otherwise clinical environment.
Safe birthing place
The swinging double doors that provided entry to the Maternity Unit and to the Birthing Unit were enlivened with an artwork by Elsie Randall. Entitled Safe Birthing Place , the artist explained:
This painting … represents a safe place to give birth that is culturally appropriate for all women, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums-to-be from local and visiting tribal nations. The circle in the middle is the nurturing support and care all hospital staff provide to patients. The hands surrounding the pregnant woman and outside circle are the hands of Naae-Wanne staff, doctors and midwives. The animals, birds and marine animals represent the different tribal areas serviced by the hospital, including the wedge tailed eagle, the totem of the Wonnarua nation on which the hospital stands. The surrounding areas include the totem of neighbouring nations, Worimi (the dolphin) and Awabakal (the eagle). The circle dots are external support providers working in collaboration with the hospital. These supports are embedded deep within the root system.
Maternity
Birthing Unit
Special Care Unit
