A change in licensing for private health facilities led to the application and with the licence being granted on Wednesday the OAMS is now free to resume birthing procedures.

OAMS chief executive officer Jamie Newman said the processes already in place at the Murundhu dharaa birthing centre met NSW Health requirements.

“We’re very, very happy about it and it allows us to provide a comprehensive service,” he said.

Despite the need for a NSW Health review of the centre during the application, Mr Newman said they were comfortable they would meet the required policies and procedures.

He said the only structural change needed to be made was to the centre’s hot water system which required a temperature regulation valve to be installed.

While he admitted the audit and assessment was “pretty intense”, he said he welcomed it along with annual reviews that are part of the normal processes for private health facilities.

Mr Newman said the OAMS is one of the first Aboriginal medical centres in the state to have been granted the licence to allow birthing.

“We’re hopefully in the position to support other services... it’s a lot of hard work but if you persevere it’s worth it.”

Services provided by the OAMS Murundhu dharaa birthing centre are available for all women of any ethnicity.

nadine.morton @ruralpress.com