Parents involved in a pivotal inquiry into birth trauma are celebrating a nearly 45-million-dollar boost in maternity services, described as setting the “gold standard” for care.
The upcoming state budget allocates 83 million dollars to improve maternity services across the region.
More than half of this funding, 44.8 million dollars, will support the expansion of the midwife-led Midwifery Group Practice program.
This increase will create an additional 53 midwife positions in regional and remote areas, alongside improved training for healthcare providers in respectful maternity care and enhanced antenatal education for expectant parents.
The announcement follows a year after the inquiry’s final report, which many called a “me too” moment for birth trauma victims. The inquiry received over 4,000 submissions and conducted six public hearings.
Its recommendations emphasized greater access to continuity of care programs like the Midwifery Group Practice and called for more midwives to meet rising demand.
Among those sharing her story is Natalie Webb from Tumbarumba, who was among the first women to speak publicly about her birth trauma and provided evidence during the inquiry’s hearing in Wagga Wagga.
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