SA's child protection minister orders a review of cases involving the removal of newborn babies from their mothers at public birthing hospitals, following damning whistleblower claims of 'inhumane' practices.
SA Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard has tasked the state's child protection chief with reviewing cases involving the removal of newborn babies at public birthing hospitals.
"I've asked her to very carefully examine cases of removal over the last couple of years to make sure that we are undertaking these terribly heartbreaking removals in the best possible way," Ms Hildyard told Stateline. SA Health policy states that "infants are not to be separated from their mother until section 41 has been invoked".
Last financial year, SA's Department for Child Protection removed 105 babies, aged under one month, from their mothers.Mothers whose babies are removed at birth can be accused of being unfit to parent, living in inappropriate housing, not showing up to antenatal appointments, or misusing drugs and alcohol.
The minister said the government had also "significantly increased" the number of at-risk families who are offered family group conferencing — a program offered to families to address concerns about children's safety.
Katrine Hildyard Department For Child Protection Hospitals Removals Whistleblower Maternal Health Mental Health Baby Removal DCP
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Experience: my newborn baby was kidnapped from hospitalI flew down the corridor screaming at everyone: ‘Do you have my baby?’
Read more »
Mother's Panic: Baby Goes Missing in HospitalA mother recounts the terrifying moment when her newborn baby went missing from her hospital room.
Read more »
Staff shortages, lack of equipment amid numerous flaws at Liverpool Hospital when newborn baby dies7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
'Deficiencies' at Sydney hospital took place before newborn's deathA coroner found the newborn died in the context of a high-risk pregnancy, a delayed delivery and damage to both the placenta and umbilical cord.
Read more »
Woman Jokes About Baby Name, Friend Actually Uses ItA woman shares her experience of joking about an awful baby name with her friend, only to find out that her friend actually used it for her newborn boy.
Read more »
Mega-private stars share first look at babySuki Waterhouse has shared the first picture of her newborn baby with Robert Pattinson, just days after the couple was spotted pushing a pram through an LA park.
Read more »