Mr HAMPTON - 2008-05-08
Can you inform the House of the expansion of the essential maternity services in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I know the member for Stuart is a family man, and will welcome this announcement, as will all Alice Springs people. The Community Midwifery Program will be expanded to encompass Alice Springs in the 2008-09 financial year. This is in line with government’s policy in our funding through past budget initiatives for extra support for maternal and child health.
The program in Alice Springs has been funded to the tune of $280 000 per year. That will enable two qualified midwives to commence in the 2008—09 financial year. It will be developed similarly to the program that has been developed and implemented in Darwin since 2004. I know that women and families have certainly valued this service, with the expert support that is provided within the community before birth, and also after birth, enabling early discharge from hospital. It provides best practice for those women with low-risk pregnancies, obviously. It has been embraced by midwives and obstetricians alike, and is a very important program. It complements other maternity service initiatives such as the Home Birth Service and Royal Darwin Hospital Birthing Centre.
As members might be aware, a review of maternity services has been completed. The report was received by the department in February of this year - unlike some claims in the media that it was received in November. My office has recently received that report and I will be making announcements regarding government’s response to that in early June.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I know the member for Stuart is a family man, and will welcome this announcement, as will all Alice Springs people. The Community Midwifery Program will be expanded to encompass Alice Springs in the 2008-09 financial year. This is in line with government’s policy in our funding through past budget initiatives for extra support for maternal and child health.
The program in Alice Springs has been funded to the tune of $280 000 per year. That will enable two qualified midwives to commence in the 2008—09 financial year. It will be developed similarly to the program that has been developed and implemented in Darwin since 2004. I know that women and families have certainly valued this service, with the expert support that is provided within the community before birth, and also after birth, enabling early discharge from hospital. It provides best practice for those women with low-risk pregnancies, obviously. It has been embraced by midwives and obstetricians alike, and is a very important program. It complements other maternity service initiatives such as the Home Birth Service and Royal Darwin Hospital Birthing Centre.
As members might be aware, a review of maternity services has been completed. The report was received by the department in February of this year - unlike some claims in the media that it was received in November. My office has recently received that report and I will be making announcements regarding government’s response to that in early June.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016