Royal Prince Alfred Midwifery Services

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) is the oldest teaching hospital in NSW with a world-wide reputation for standards of excellence, innovation and research. Established in 1882, our hospital cares for a local community, which contains a population covering a wide range of socio-economic levels. It is one of the most culturally diverse areas in Australia. We also provide specialist services in many disciplines to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and our neighbours in the South West Asian/Pacific region.

RPA Women and Babies is a one of the busiest maternity units in Australia, with over 5,500 births and 70,000 occasions of service per year. RPA Women and Babies acts as a referral unit for other hospitals in both metropolitan Sydney, and the State of New South Wales, and the Pacific.

Clinical specialties include Ante Natal; Delivery Ward, Birth Centre, Post Natal ward and Neonatal Intensive Care. Roster patterns are rotating with 8 hour shifts which are negotiable. Staffing ratios are 5:1

Post natal

There are two post natal wards. One operates 12 hour shift pattern and the private post natal ward has 8 or 10 hour shift patterns. Average stay is 48 hours.

There is a lactation team with a lactation consultant. All midwives are encouraged to train as lactation consultants.

The breast feeding rate initially is over 90% which reduces to about 55% after six weeks.

One post natal unit is a 34 bedded unit and the private post natal is a 20 bedded unit.

Birth Centre

There are 3 labour rooms. Antenatal clinic sees about 80 per month and appoximately 60 are delivered in the Birth Centre. It's midwife lead.

The Antenatal unit is a 15 bedded ward. High risk cases are catered for.

There is a computerised medical records system but kardex charting is also done.

Community

There is a small community team that supports women post natally who have early discharge. They get 2-3 visits.

Newly qualified midwives are allocated to all areas for 4 montly rotations.

Professional development and ongoing education opportunities are well supported by Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. A midwifery student program in liaison with the University of Technology, Sydney provides clinical placements for student midwives undertaking the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery and the Bachelor of Midwifery.

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) is the oldest teaching hospital in NSW with a world-wide reputation for standards of excellence, innovation and research. Established in 1882, our hospital cares for a local community, which contains a population covering a wide range of socio-economic levels. It is one of the most culturally diverse areas in Australia. RPAH also provides specialist services in many disciplines to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and our neighbours in the South West Asian/Pacific region.

Today RPAH is one of Australia's busiest specialist referral centres, with a dedicated staff of 3,500 providing care for close to 57,000 inpatients and 600,000 outpatients. Additionally, more than 44,000 people attend the Emergency Department and 4,000 babies are delivered.

If you want to apply for a Midwifery post at RPAH email your CV to nurses@profco.com or register here or call us contact details.

Lifestyle

The hospital is situated on Missenden Road. If you stand at the entrance of the hospital, facing the street, in front of the 1882 façade, the choices open to you are as wide as the points of the compass.

If you were to walk to your left, you would quickly reach King Street and the suburb of Newtown. Here there is a cornucopia of cafes and interesting shops interspersed with great pubs, some with a gay theme.

From King Street you can catch a 370 bus which will take you to Coogee and the eastern suburbs beaches of Sydney where the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean roll onto miles of golden sands. From Coogee there is a magnificent cliff-top walk to the famous Bondi Beach, where you can sun-bake and swim all day and rage all night at the many waterfront cafes, clubs and bars.