Last night’s budget moves things forward for midwives, women and families.
ACM welcomes the new Medicare item for participating midwives to provide contraceptive services, multi-year funding for Birthing on Country, and continued investment in perinatal mental health, stillbirth and maternity data.
More broadly, there is also a set of economy-wide measures that support midwives and the women they serve.
The budget recognises that maternal health is a core part of the health system, a key factor in women and children’s health outcomes. It acknowledges that there is variation in the continuity of care that women receive, and that regular antenatal care in the first trimester is associated with positive maternal and child health outcomes and allows for early identification and treatment of potential health issues for both the mother and baby.
We welcome that recognition. We will continue to advocate and work with Government to translate this recognition into practical changes that enable access and equity of maternity care for all women, regardless of where they live and for midwives to work to full scope of practice.
Read full details here.
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