Midwifery practice opens for Southern Downs expecting mothers

For several years women in the Southern Downs have called for greater access to maternity and birthing services. Here’s the new services that have been delivered to expectant mums.

Access to maternity and birthing support services in the rural communities of Warwick and Stanthorpe have been few and far.

For several years Southern Downs mothers have called for access to a local Midwifery Group Practice, with many having to travel long distances for support.

Their prayers have now been answered as Darling Downs Health rolls out the $42 million state government funded practice in both Warwick and Stanthorpe.

Enabling post-natal and antenatal care to be extended for women across the region, it will include a new model of care to partner women with a known midwife to provide individualised support during pregnancy, labour, birth and after birth care.

Having worked at Warwick Hospital as a midwife since moving his family to the region four years ago, Sam Gale was quick to put his hand up when he heard about the MGP.

“We’re incredibly optimistic this service will be popular among the Warwick community, it’s excellent that expectant mothers now have access to a public MGP,” Mr Gale said.

“It shows the health service continues to be focused on providing equitable access to care.”

Warwick midwife Sam Gale and his newborn daughter Emmeline. Photo: DDH Media

Darling Downs Health rural executive director Dr Chris Cowling said the new model of care will reduce the need for expectant mothers in the region to travel away from home for maternity care.

“We know that these communities, Stanthorpe in particular, have been asking to have access to a local Midwifery Group Practice service for several years,” Dr Cowling said.

“Expectant mothers like the MGP model of care as it provides them with the continuity of dealing with one person throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and after birth care journey.

“The MGP will complement existing care Darling Downs Health provides expectant mothers in Stanthorpe and Warwick and provides further opportunity for mothers to birth closer to home.”

Passionate about midwifery and a trained nurse and midwife Sophie Walker is excited to provide care to expecting mothers at the Stanthorpe service.

“I previously worked in a Midwifery Group Practice in another Health Service and thoroughly enjoyed it,” Ms Walker said.

“Having a MGP in a rural community helps bridge the gap between care available in metropolitan areas compared to their regional counterparts.

“Rural women can be limited in how and where they can seek maternity care, this gives them more choices.”

The midwifery group practice is now available in addition with existing services provided by Darling Downs Health at Warwick and Stanthorpe hospital.

Originally published as Midwifery practice opens for Southern Downs expecting mothers