While that news might be a relief for some, it will be cold comfort for a many parents facing the prospect of being told they will have to have their babies in Nowra instead of their home community, close to their friends and families.

While the birthing unit seems to be safe, the assessment criteria is not being revised, according to the spokesperson, which apparently flies in the face of a discussion between health service boss Sue Browbank and State Member for South Coast, Shelley Hancock.

The health service statement also raises a number of other interesting points, particularly in the light of the local campaign to allow doctors to decide the best place for an expectant mother to give birth.

The statement reads, “Midwives are highly trained professionals who provide expert advice in determining risk.”

There’s no denying midwives are well trained, but not as well trained as doctors.

A woman’s regular doctor also has a far more detailed knowledge about general health, past issues, strengths and weaknesses, than can possibly be gleaned by a person simply asking questions on a sheet of paper – many of which seem deliberately vague as if designed to force even the healthiest of woman to be declared high risk.

And still there is no explanation of why things such as a short stature or socio-economic status automatically place a woman into a high risk category – nothing other than possible statistics that pay no attention to other factors in a woman’s life that a regular doctor would be aware of.

And there is still no explanation from the health service on why skilled, experienced and highly trained doctors are being cut out of the equation when it comes to decisions on the best care for their patients.

“The hospital reiterates that while this may limit the number of women who are able to give birth at Milton Ulladulla Hospital, safety is paramount,” the statement added.

Fine, so perhaps all babies should be born only in specialist facilities in Sydney.

Or perhaps not, judging by the experience revealed in today’s edition by Kathy Bradley.