Provision of Newborn Hearing Screening Services at WA Private Maternity Hospitals

The Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NBHS) plays a crucial role in identifying newborns with congenital permanent bilateral or unilateral hearing loss (≥ 40 dBHL) of conductive, sensorineural, or mixed nature, including retrocochlear hearing loss (e.g., Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder).

NBHS aims to ensure that all newborns undergo screening and, if necessary, receive timely support to minimise the effects of hearing impairment.
In Western Australia (WA), NBHS is an integral part of public maternity care and is delivered by the WA health system. The Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) manages the program through the Newborn Hearing Screening Department at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH), following the Department of Health’s NBHS Program Policy.

This commitment extends NBHS services to WA Private Maternity Hospitals to ensure the same timely access as public hospitals.
CAHS is seeking a maximum of two providers to deliver Newborn Hearing Screening services within two Categories which comprise a total four Private Maternity Hospitals in WA. These are categorised into two groups based on location and are:

Category 1 – Metropolitan Area
? Joondalup Private Hospital (Ramsay Health Care)
? St John of God Murdoch Hospital
? St John of God Subiaco Hospital
Category 2 - Geraldton
? St John of God Geraldton Hospital