AMA Queensland advocacy prompts maternity services initiatives
Our persistent advocacy has secured five new Queensland government initiatives to support maternity services in rural and remote communities.
On Monday 17 July AMA Queensland President Dr Maria Boulton participated in a Queensland government press conference announcing five new initiatives to support maternity services in rural and remote communities. The following is Dr Boulton's media statement.
"We welcome the support announced today by the Minister and the news our recommendations have been adopted.
"Since Gladstone Hospital’s maternity unit was put on bypass last year, we have been working closely with Queensland Health to address the critical need for a reliable medical workforce, particularly in regional and remote communities.
"Communities can’t grow, let alone thrive, if there is nowhere for parents to birth their children. Ensuring families have reliable access to quality maternity services also ensures the long-term sustainability of the population and economy.
"The Ministerial Maternity Roundtable and five new initiatives are the direct outcomes of our advocacy over the past year to ensure families in these communities have access to fundamental healthcare services and the health workforce is best supported to deliver those services.
"The government has delivered on our state budget submission for an immediate $800,000 to support at least 20 GPs to undertake RANZCOG’s Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Obstetrics for General Practitioners. GPs play an integral role in delivering obstetric and anaesthetic services in rural communities. This initiative will support a pipeline of GP obstetricians to continue that vital role for rural families.
"Meanwhile, the digital passports AMA Queensland advocated for will give our existing medical workforce the flexibility to fill staffing shortages in other regions and keep maternity and other health services operating."
The five initiatives announced:
- Funding to train 20 GPs in regional, rural and remote areas to complete advanced obstetrics training.
- New Queensland Health “digital passports” system to help clinicians easily move between hospitals for work, assist with filling workforce gaps.
- Reviewing Queensland Health’s locum policies to maximise incentive options for the regional maternity workforce.
- More funding to train doctors, nurses and midwives on best practice woman-centred care and collaboration.
- Boosting First Nations midwifery models of care services across Hospital and Health Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations, under the Growing Deadly Families strategy.
Related links:
