North Canberra Hospital will be celebrating 10 years of its Birth Centre on Sunday 5 May, which is also the International Day of the Midwife.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said more than 2,500 babies have been delivered at the Birth Centre.
"The commencement of the Continuity of Midwifery Care Service and opening of the Birth Centre was a real milestone in providing more public maternity options in Canberra's north," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
"The Birth Centre is a great service for women and pregnant people who want a natural birth with a known midwife. It aims to provide personalised care that respects the autonomy and preferences of the person, while ensuring safety and support throughout the childbirth experience.
"We have heard clearly from the community and midwives that continuity of midwifery care is highly valued. Expanding this model of care has been a key focus for the ACT Government as we work to implement the Maternity in Focus Plan."
As part of the Government's commitment to Continuity of Midwifery Care Services, the North Canberra Hospital team is expanding with four new midwives. This means an additional 130 families can access Continuity of Midwifery Care at North Canberra Hospital every year.
"This anniversary is not only an opportunity revisit experiences and memories with the North Canberra Birth Centre, it is an occasion to celebrate the International Day of the Midwife," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
"On International Day of the Midwife, we recognise the vital role of midwives and the contribution they make to the health and wellbeing of our community.
"The ACT Government has continued to invest in our midwives and student midwives to ensure we are attracting and retaining talented and caring professionals to work in the ACT into the future.
"This includes scholarships for student midwives, wage and entitlement offers that will ensure midwives in ACT public services remain among the best paid in the country and the finalisation of phase two of Mandated Minimum Midwife-to-Patient Ratios through the current round of enterprise agreement bargaining."
Work is also continuing on the new $1 billion northside hospital project. This includes feasibility for a new midwife-led freestanding or alongside Birth Centre.
The Birth Centre anniversary event will be held in John Knight Memorial Park from 11am to 1pm on Sunday 5 May 2024.
There will be a cake-cutting at 12pm and attendees are asked to bring their own food and drinks, blanket, and seating. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Function Room in the Lewisham Building at North Canberra Hospital.
Quotes attributed to Hana Sayers, North Canberra Hospital Birth Centre Manager:
"The Birth Centre and Continuity of Midwifery Care Service promote a wonderfully close and supportive association between women, their babies, and the midwifery team.
"I am very excited to be celebrating the anniversary with current and former colleagues, and families that have a connection to the service."
