An expansion of the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) model on the Mid North Coast is providing more women and their families with access to evidence-based midwifery continuity of care.
Mid North Coast Local Health District recently announced the commencement of a new MGP service and Maternity Antenatal Postnatal Service (MAPS) in the Hastings Macleay region.
The MGP service commenced in Port Macquarie in September, supporting increased access to continuity of care with a known midwife.
Under the MGP model, women receive care from a known primary midwife throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and up to six weeks after birth. MGP midwives work as part of a small team to ensure support and minimise potential disruptions to care.
A review of criteria for MGP is also enabling more women with higher-level care needs to access the service where clinically appropriate, or to stay in the program if they develop risk factors during pregnancy.
In May this year, a dedicated team of midwives began providing MAPS care at Kempsey District Hospital and Port Macquarie Base Hospital. The MAPS model offers midwifery continuity in the antenatal and postnatal periods, while birth care is provided by a core hospital birthing team.
These new services are in addition to the existing MGP models in place at Coffs Harbour and Macksville since 2021.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
"We are committed to ensuring women across NSW have access to respectful, evidence-based maternity care. I am proud of the work Mid Morth Coast Local Health District is doing to expand its midwifery continuity of care models.
"These models of care enable women to get to know their midwife throughout their pregnancy, who then provide postnatal care in the home for up to six weeks to support mother-baby bonding and a healthy start to life."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:
"Women's health and wellbeing are a key focus for this government. It's important we provide women with continuity of care so they feel supported during their pregnancy and after their baby is born.
"With the expansion of the MGP to Mid North Coast, we are increasing the number of women who will be able to access to midwifery continuity of care."
Quotes attributable to Labor Spokesperson for Port Macquarie Cameron Murphy, MLC:
"I welcome Mid North Coast Local Health District's commitment to improving maternity services for women in Port Macquarie, so they, their babies and their families can have the best possible experience in our hospitals."
Quotes attributable to MNCLHD acting Chief Executive Jill Wong:
"We're thrilled to expand the midwifery continuity of care models across the Mid North Coast region and to build on the successful Coffs Harbour and Macksville models which have been in place since 2021.
"We're committed to delivering midwifery-led care and offering more choice to pregnant women and their families. I thank the many staff and consumers who have worked to deliver these positive changes."
Quotes attributable to Courtney Harvey, who had her baby Charlotte through the MAPS service at Kempsey:
"Being a first-time mum, everything can be a little scary, there are so many unknowns about labour and birth. The first few weeks, everything is such a big change but having my own midwife at all my appointments made such a big difference, it was really lovely.
"It was nice having the same point of contact for everything in my pregnancy.
"My postnatal care was amazing. I loved that my midwife did an antenatal home visit prior to me having my baby. It was nice having her come into my space at home during the antenatal period and I could get comfortable having a health professional in my own home.
"If I am blessed to have more children, I would really hope that I can have the same experience as I have had with my pregnancy and birth this time as it has all been so positive, so special, I wouldn't want to change it. I hope I can have continuity, and birth here, once again."
