‘Allow mums, bubs to stay together’: Tasmanian Liberals pledge to train midwives at home

Tasmania will once again train midwives locally if the Liberals win government at the June 19 state election, Health Minister Jacquie Petrusma says.

Renders of the Intensive Residential Parenting Unit to be built at St John's Park in New Town.

Tasmania will once again train midwives locally if the Liberals win government at the June 19 state election.

Health Minister and member for Franklin Jacquie Petrusma said the Liberals would restore the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery at the University of Tasmania if returned to office.

She said the curriculum would include a residential program and would be aimed at growing the home-grown midwifery workforce.

Ms Petrusma said workforce challenges were being felt in health systems around the world and the need was particularly acute in midwifery.

“Our government has already been addressing this issue head-on, with record recruitment and incentives, including grants, scholarships, support and training,” she said.

“By restoring midwifery training at UTas, Tasmanians can follow their dream of becoming midwives here in the state.

“Midwives are the largest contributor to Tasmania’s maternity workforce, with 645 midwives registered in our state.”

Liberal candidate Jess Barnett, Minister Madeleine Ogilvie, Liberal candidate Marilena Di Florio at the location within St John's Park New Town for the proposed new mother and baby unit. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Petrusma said the Liberals would within their first 100 days of forming government will also release a new Tasmanian Midwifery Strategy to address workforce retention, capacity, capability, and birth trauma.

The government has also unveiled images showing aspects of the new Intensive Residential Parenting Unit to be built at St John’s Park at New Town.

A Development Application has already been submitted to the City of Hobart, and main construction will start as soon as approvals are achieved.

Ms Petrusma said the six-bed unit will support parents experiencing post-natal challenges in Southern Tasmania.

“The facility will allow mums and bubs to stay together while they receive intensive support in a fit-for-purpose, specialised residential setting for sleeping, feeding, behaviour and developing perinatal mental health concerns,” Minister Petrusma said.

“This continues our focus on new services for families, including establishing the State’s first parenting hotline and the four-bed mums and bubs residential facility under construction in the North.

“This election comes down to one choice: a strong Liberal team with a real plan or another merry-go-round of chaos and compromise.”