How $42m will help ease maternity crisis

The state’s beleaguered regional maternity centres will receive a $42m injection, with plans to boost the obstetric workforce key to easing the maternity crisis.

The state’s beleaguered regional maternity centres will receive a $42m injection, with plans to boost the obstetric workforce key to easing the maternity crisis.

Up to 20 GPs and rural generalists will be supported in completing advanced diplomas in obstetrics after the state government partnered with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) off the back of the Ministerial Roundtable held last month.

It is one of five new initiatives that has the backing of the Australian Medical Association Queensland.

Bringing services close to home for families is the aim of Health Minister Shannon Fentiman.

The Courier-Mail has reported on many desperate situations that women have had to face due to maternity units being on bypass and the need to travel long distances to have babies.

As part of the cash injection Queensland Health will also introduce “digital passports” to help clinicians easily move between hospitals for work which will assist in filling workforce gaps

The government is also reviewing Queensland Health’s locum policies to maximise incentive options.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman. Picture: Liam Kidston

And there will be more funding to train doctors, nurses and midwives on best practice, woman-centred care and collaboration.

And finally First Nations midwifery models of care services will be boosted across Hospital and Health Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations.

These initial initiatives follow stakeholder feedback from the Roundtable and are part of a broader program of work underway.

“I have travelled the state of Queensland to talk to women about maternity services – they’ve said that they want choice, continuity of care, and services closer to home,” Ms Fentiman said

“We have also incorporated feedback of our hardworking frontline staff and other stakeholders, at both the Women’s Health Workforce Forum in March and the Ministerial Maternity Roundtable in June.

“We know upskilling our already hardworking GPs will help make a difference for smaller communities, like Cooktown and Biloela,” she said.

The Opposition has been putting severe pressure on the government to restore full services at Cooktown, Biloela, Weipa and Chinchilla.

“While we know we need to grow our own health workforce in the regions, we also need to ensure that we are attracting the best locums to assist our local workforce when needed,” the Health Minister said.

“And boosting our First Nations midwifery models of care will be invaluable. We also know workplace culture is essential for providing safe, compassionate birthing services, which is why we will expand staff training under the Authenticity, Leadership, Integrity, Collaboration and Empowerment (ALICE) program, with training for 200 clinicians across 8 HHSs.

“These initial initiatives are crucial and are part of a much broader piece of work we are delivering to ensure women across Queensland can access safe maternity services where and when they need them,” she said.

The AMAQ has been advocating for digital passports and president Maria Boulton has praised the Minister for listening to what was needed.

“We welcome the support announced today by the Minister and the news our recommendations have been adopted,” Dr Boulton said

“The Ministerial Maternity Roundtable and five new initiatives are the direct outcomes of our advocacy over the past year to ensure families in these communities have access to fundamental healthcare services and the health workforce is best supported to deliver those services” she said