14 The Ramsay Way 2018 | 02 One of Joondalup Health Campus’ (JHC) most
respected midwives has retired after 40 years
in the industry.
During her career Scottish born midwife Hilda Watson has
been involved in the delivery of more than 10,000 babies.
When Hilda started at JHC in 1989, the then Wanneroo
Hospital only had 20 odd maternity beds and three
birthing suites.
It delivered just 800 babies a year – a far cry from the
activity at Joondalup Health Campus thirty years on.
The hospital now delivers close to 4,000 babies annually
and boasts a first class maternity service with a total of
71 combined public and private maternity beds and 12
birthing suites.
Equipped with a Level 2b Neonatal Unit, JHC is now
capable of delivering patients from 32 weeks’ gestation,
five weeks earlier than when Hilda started. Other new
additions include a tertiary women’s imaging ultrasound
service, a recently established Early Pregnancy
Assessment Clinic, onsite laboratory and radiology
services, adult intensive care facilities and 24/7 obstetric,
paediatric, anaesthetic and theatre cover.
Hilda said she had witnessed “unbelievable” changes in
her time at the hospital – not just in maternity services
but across the board. When she started, the then 85-bed
Wanneroo Hospital had been open for just nine years.
The small hospital served the community well but had
little resemblance to the major health campus it is
today. In 2018, JHC has 722 beds and one of the busiest
Emergency Departments (ED) in the country.
“I can still remember the kangaroos on the lawn when I
arrived at the job interview with my 10 month old son,”
Hilda said. “How times have changed!”
She said the one thing that remained consistent over the
years was the culture at JHC: “We have a very unique culture
at this hospital and I am going to miss the staff tremendously.”
She added that it had been a great privilege to work as
a midwife: “It is an incredibly special time for parents
and it has been a great honour for me to share these
experiences with so many local families.”
Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Kempton Cowan, said
Hilda was an “enormously valued” member of staff.
“Hilda has made an outstanding contribution to our
hospital and has touched the lives of hundreds of people
during her time here,” he said.
RAMSAY PEOPLE
RESPECTED JOONDALUP MIDWIFE RETIRES AFTER 40 YEARS
AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS
Head of St George Private’s Neurosurgery department A/Prof Mark
Davies was one of the recipients of an Australia Day Honour OAM
for his unwavering dedication and service to the medical sector
within his field of Neurosurgery.
A/Prof Davies who is also the head of the department at St George Public
Hospital has shown great dedication to the training and development of
young doctors as well as working with the government to influence policy
on behalf of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and the Neurosurgical
Society of Australasia.
Frances Perry House’ and Director of Maternity Services at The Royal
Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, Professor Mark Ustead has been appointed
a Member of the Order of Australia.
Professor Umstad has been dedicated to pregnancy care and research
for the past 25 years with a strong focus on reducing the risk for women
experiencing complicated pregnancies. He is one of Australia’s leading researchers on twins and multiple
pregnancies and established Australia’s first Multiple Birth Clinic, at the Women’s.
It was an unexpected honour to be given this award in recognition of the work I enjoy every day,” Professor
Umstad AM said. “Many of my patients have high risk pregnancies and helping these women deliver healthy
babies is particularly rewarding.
“It has been fulfilling to be involved in the teaching and mentoring of doctors training as specialist
obstetricians and to have the opportunity to introduce them to the benefits of conducting medical research.”
IN MEMORY
OF MARGOT
Margot Fowles, who worked at Mitcham Private
Hospital for 38 years, passed away in December after
a short battle with cancer.
She was remembered at a special morning tea by
colleagues, for her charm, spunk and style.
A picture painted by staff member Ollie Matthews was
donated to the hospital as a lasting memory of Margot
“Margot had perfect timing, she was the Queen of
wit. She could get away with the most outrageous
comments and banter, never blushing, never offending,
always savvy and always confident,” reminisced one
staff member.
“She was a special nurse… she would charm and calm
and somehow have everyone smiling and settled. We’ll
miss that Richmond bag on the bench, the pink shoes
worn so fashionably with scrubs and her perfectly
made face.”
Associate Professor
Mark Davies receives OAM