June 2003

Midwife team project a maternity care model

Wonthaggi and District Hospital chose International Midwives Day for the launch of its Team Maternity Care Model.

Department of Human Services Nurse Policy Branch Director Belinda Moyes launched the pilot project.

‘This collaborative approach to maternity care provides women in the Bass Coast Shire continuity of care with access to a midwife 24 hours a day,’ Ms Moyes said.

‘The model is innovative in its design and comprehensively develops a strong partnership with the doctor, the midwife and the women of this community.’

Hospital Chief Executive Officer Nigel Atkins said the initiative—the first of its kind in Gippsland—provided pregnant women with the opportunity to develop a partnership with the doctor and a midwife.

The midwife and the doctor then provided support throughout the pregnancy, the birth and post-natal care, including home visits.

Five obstetric doctors from Wonthaggi Medical Clinic and a team of four midwives have undertaken a collaborative approach to the women of the Bass Coast Shire who have elected to birth at Wonthaggi and District Hospital.

Director of Nursing Services Maureen Willson said the pilot project would be undertaken over a 12-month period then evaluated with support from Latrobe University.

‘The hospital will also seek feedback from the women who will give birth under this model of care.

‘Our model is challenging the boundaries of traditional maternity services.

‘It is anticipated the provision of this alternative to traditional obstetric care encourages more women to choose Wonthaggi and District Hospital as their birth centre and therefore assists in securing a viable midwifery service into the future.

‘Long-term benefits of this model will be the ability to offer continuing employment of midwives and also ensure our rural doctors continue maintaining their obstetric skills,’ Ms Willson said.

Associate Director of Nursing Services Janet Lodge said research had shown that women wanted choice, control and continuity of care and carer.

‘Evidence is that when women have at least one healthcare professional who is known to them, during their labour and birth, the outcomes for both the mother and baby are improved with less interventions and caesarian births coupled with a reduction in the admissions of babies to special care nurseries.

‘The new model is putting the focus on the experience and skills of midwives,’ Ms Lodge said.

‘Midwives enjoy working in a collaborative team environment that recognises their skills and improves clinical outcomes for women and their families.

‘The key to success in this model is good communication and collaboration between the midwives and the doctors,’ Ms Lodge said.