Pregnant patients in the Victorian city of Geelong are searching for a new hospital after one of the largest in the region announced plans to close its maternity service.
Epworth HealthCare made the "difficult announcement" on Monday, citing issues with workforce shortages in nursing and midwifery.
Chief executive Lachlan Henderson said the hospital had entered a consultation period with staff, unions and doctors about the closure.
"After consultation is complete, if a decision is made to close, the closure of our Epworth Geelong maternity service is anticipated to occur on 1 March 2023," Dr Henderson said in a statement.
He also confirmed that the hospital would "pause" new maternity bookings.
In a letter sent to staff, the hospital also said the predicted lack of "sufficient" paediatrician availability to service the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week was a reason for the closure.
Those affected by the proposed closure should expect to be contacted by the hospital or their obstetrician by Wednesday, the staff letter said.
It is believed the hospital helps, on average, 40 to 60 births a month.
AAP has been told by hospital staff that many have become increasingly frustrated about being rostered on for night and weekend shifts, because management found it easier to find agency nurses to fill day shifts.
National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists president Gino Pecoraro said the announcement was frustrating.
"Whatever reason is given, the net effect is the same," Dr Pecoraro told AAP.
"Private obstetrics is in danger of being wiped out and the flow-on effects will impact on everyone.
"Public units (will be) overwhelmed and if it follows what happened in Gladstone (Queensland), the public system will collapse as well."
The final decision on the service, which opened in 2017, will be made by early next year.
Greater Geelong, Victoria's second largest city, has a population of 274,647, and is forecast to grow to 393,216 by 2041.
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