Newborn babies will soon be considered a separate patient when they are staying in the same hospital room as their mother.
A law requiring a minimum ratio of one midwife to every six patients, including babies, was last week introduced to state parliament.
“Our existing nurse-to-patient ratios have been proven to be very effective,” health minister Shannon Fentiman said.
“Counting babies as a separate patient to their parent will ensure our extraordinary midwives can provide safer, more comprehensive, and more compassionate care to families.
