Mums-to-be benefit from more midwives at The Townsville Hospital

Six new midwives have begun at the Townsville Hospital and Health Service expanding access for pregnant women to receive one-on-one care from a dedicated midwife through the midwifery group practice program.

Minister for Health for Health and Ambulance Services Minister Steven Miles said four of the six midwives had joined the popular midwifery group practice team.

“Each of these midwives has taken on 40 local women meaning a further 160 women have been able to receive this women-centred care model,” he said.

“These women will have one dedicated midwife to care for them through their pregnancy, during the birth of their baby and up to six-weeks post-birth.

“Having a baby is a special time in the life of a woman and we know that good maternity care means women are informed, assured and confident throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond resulting in safe births and healthy babies and midwives are pivotal to that.”

Townsville Hospital and Health Service acting director of midwifery services Sari Holland said she was thrilled to see the service expanded to meet demand.

“Continuity of care is so important, and we know this is a style of care women value and prefer so we are delighted that it has been offered to more local women,” she said.

Sari said the two other midwives would focus on rural and remote birthing and the expanded midwifery group practice service.

“Working closely with our rural sites that offer birthing services is important to ensure they are connected and cohesive with our tertiary maternity services,” Sari said.

“With the number of women receiving care through the midwifery group practice increasing it was also important to make sure that this care was well-coordinated and delivered to women in a way that makes pregnancy and birth a positive experience.”

Sari said the new midwives coincided with the Townsville Hospital and Health Service ‘Your child lives with your choices’ campaign aimed at improving health outcomes of the youngest North Queenslanders.

“Conception to two years of age is a unique window to establish healthy habits that can set a child up for a lifetime of good health,” she said.

“Midwives work together with women to make the best choices for them and their babies to ensure they get the best start to life, so it was great to see the purpose of this campaign in action with the addition of our new midwives.

“Throughout the duration of the campaign each baby born at our hospital will receive a campaign onesie and Minister Miles was more than happy to present one to expectant mother and midwifery group practice patient Alana Skinner which was a lovely moment.”

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