SOME expectant mothers have been redirected from Stanthorpe Hospital to Warwick to give birth in recent months.

This included Stanthorpe mother-of-two Tiffany Willoughby.

Despite having had no complications with her now two-year-old daughter's birth, Ms Willoughby presented to Stanthorpe Hospital on Sunday, July 10, only to be told she would be sent to Warwick.

She said staff told her this was a precautionary measure.

While she commended the Warwick Hospital staff, Ms Willoughby said her partner, Scott Ball, was unable to stay at the hospital after she gave birth in the early hours of July 11.

He drove back to Stanthorpe, then had to go back to Warwick to pick up his partner and newborn to return them to Stanthorpe Hospital the next morning.

"I wasn't very happy but I had to do what I had to do," Ms Willoughby said.

"The staff at Warwick were great; it was all great - just having to be taken down there in an ambulance and then organise our own way back was annoying."

Ms Willoughby said she was aware of several other pregnant women having also been transferred to Warwick.

Stanthorpe Hospital director of nursing Jan Faulconbridge said a staffing shortage was behind the transfers.

"The safety of women and their babies is at the heart of the services and care provided by Stanthorpe Hospital's maternity service," she said.

"Recently, full theatre services at Stanthorpe Hospital were not available for a short time due to several staff being away, including emergent leave.

"While we always hope emergency care, including possible surgery, won't be needed, it must be an available option in a short timeframe."

Ms Faulconbridge said mothers who gave birth outside of their hometown were given access to accessible antenatal support.

"Those not recommended for delivery in Stanthorpe are offered, without exception, the opportunity to have their antenatal care through a telehealth shared care model," she said.