- The Miles Government announces $185,000 funding boost for maternity services in the Metro South Health catchment, aimed at improving care for newly arrived, refugee, and migrant women.
- The investment will expand Settlement Services International's Maternity Hub in Logan, increasing access to this critical care for more women in the community.
- This investment reinforces the Miles Government's commitment to providing safe, maternity care for all Queensland woman, closer to home.
Minister for Health, Minister for Women and Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman is pleased to announce this new funding initiative to support increased maternity care to newly arrived, refugee, and migrant women in the Metro South region.
Since 2018, Settlement Services International (SSI) have been working in partnership with Metro South Health (MSH) to deliver community-based antenatal services for eligible newly arrived, refugee, and migrant women.
Located in Logan Central, the SSI Maternity Hub works closely with six MSH midwives to provide wrap around support to newly arrived, refugee, and migrant women.
The hub links them in with essential services including housing, employment, health, and financial wellbeing support.
This year, the SSI Maternity Hub saw a sharp increase in demand for care with 139 referrals already received between January and June compared to an average of 173 referrals per year from 2021 to 2023. This highlights the growing demand on maternity services for this vulnerable group.
The funding boost will bring the total investment to $300,000, ensuring more women can access this critical healthcare, closer to home.
The Miles Government is committed to delivering safe and reliable maternity services for all Queensland women and will continue to invest to ensure all newly arrived, refugee, and migrant women can access the services they need, when they need it.
As stated by the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:
"We know that refugee and migrant women face additional and unique barriers to healthcare, like language and limited access to income support, employment, and housing.
"Services like these are critical, that's why we're investing in Logan's Maternity Hub for newly arrived, refugee, and migrant women to make sure they can access the critical support they need.
"It is such a vital service for the community, providing essential maternity and interpreter services as well as housing, employment, and financial wellbeing support.
"We know that demand for these services is steadily increasing, which is why the Miles Government will continue investing to ensure women can access this crucial support."
As stated by Metro South Health Chief Executive Noelle Cridland:
"Every mother and family deserves high-quality, compassionate, and culturally safe maternity care.
"This is especially important for us at Metro South Health because we're the most culturally diverse health region in Queensland with around 28 per cent of our population born overseas.
"We're pleased this ongoing partnership with Settlement Services International will continue to support, and meet the increased demand for refugee and migrant women in Logan.
"The SSI maternity hub complements the excellent services available at Logan Hospital throughout pregnancy, during labour, birth, and after birth.
As stated by SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis AM:
"This investment will ensure women from migrant and refugee backgrounds receive wrap-around support that sets up both children and their families for the best start in life.
Many of the women we work with are dealing with barriers that make it harder to navigate the health system and access pregnancy supports. This funding will go towards more education sessions, group parenting support, and post birth follow up support.
We thank the Queensland Government for recognising the need for high quality healthcare that is responsive, sensitive and accepting of cultural needs and preferences."
