Midwifery program starts

Women seeking more family-centred births will soon have greater options in the shire, with a new midwifery program starting next month. The WA Country Health Service will establish new midwifery group practices in the South West, with services in the Warren-Blackwood district next in line. Specialist midwives will collaborate with local health practitioners to provide maternity and newborn care. The Times understands telehealth services will also underpin antenatal classes and specialist obstetric consultations rather than in-person care. Health Minister Roger Cook said a visit to the service already established in Bunbury proved the benefits to pregnant women and healthcare workers. “Apart from being welcomed by expectant mums, we know that the MGP model improves job satisfaction, allowing midwives to work to the full scope of their practice,” he said. The new service will allow women to receive specialist care from a known midwife much closer to home than previously feasible. Clients would have on-call midwifery services, increased access for antenatal appointments, home visits for postnatal care as well as potential early discharge, and case management by the client’s midwife. In case of emergencies, midwives would co-ordinate support with South West hospitals. The State Government announcement said the international model reduced interventions, decreased rates of postnatal depression, had added breastfeeding benefits, greater client satisfaction, and shorter hospital times.