The ANMF stands in solidarity with women and people giving birth in response to the NSW Select Committee on Birth Trauma Report.
The NSW Select Committee on Birth Trauma report (the Report) was released earlier this year in response to growing awareness of birth trauma and its impact on parents and families across New South Wales (NSW).
The Report delivered five findings, and 43 recommendations aimed at addressing preventable birth trauma, calling for the NSW Government to take urgent action in response.
The recommendations take a system wide approach to address the short comings of the Australian maternity care system including improved access to midwifery-led care, midwifery continuity of care models and trauma informed care.
Increased maternity care resources such as midwife ratios that support woman and person-centred care, ensuring competitive pay and working conditions to attract and retain midwives, and providing publicly funded homebirth services were also recommended.
Many of the recommendations have been previously advocated for by consumers and stakeholders and the ANMF has consistently lobbied on behalf of midwives, at both state and national levels, for changes to the Australian maternity care system to improve outcomes for women, people giving birth and families.
The Report highlights the serious consequences of inaction by governments, which persists despite being faced with growing research, and advocacy regarding the failures of the maternity care system.
Birth trauma is not limited to New South Wales. Research shows it is prevalent across Australian maternity care systems. The Report's recommendations are relevant beyond NSW and should be considered by the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions. Action must not be delayed by jurisdictional specific inquiries or research to further demonstrate the breadth and impact of birth trauma for people living in Australia.
The ANMF calls on the Commonwealth and all jurisdictional governments to urgently adopt and implement the Report's 43 recommendations.
The Report also provides evidence of the challenges faced by midwives in providing care. The committee acknowledged "the dedication and hard work of the maternity health care professionals who work tirelessly to deliver excellent care in challenging circumstances".
Acting on the recommendations to support maternity health care providers, including midwives, is critical for ensuring high-quality maternity care. The ANMF will continue to advocate for the support of midwives, recognising the emotional and mental load of walking with women and people giving birth in an increasingly complex maternity care system.
The Report is for all women and people giving birth in Australia. Birth trauma affects not only those directly involved but also families, midwives, and communities. Australia must shift its narrative to protect women and people giving birth in Australia from trauma and violence within the maternity care system.
The ANMF is committed to the Report's recommendations, prioritising women's health care, gender equity and improving maternity care experiences through our advocacy for midwives and nurses.
About us:
The ANMF, with over 326,000 members, is the industrial and professional voice for nurses, midwives and carers in Australia.
