12 June 2008

Shellharbour family care centre a first for the Illawarra

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said the establishment of an innovative family care centre at Shellharbour Hospital and the introduction of a home-birthing service will bridge the gap between hospital and the home for expectant women, new mothers and their babies.

Ms Meagher said the new centre will incorporate antenatal services and post-discharge midwifery support, such as help with breastfeeding, settling and sleep management, as well a range of child and family services.

“This centre is a first for the Illawarra, allowing new mothers and their babies to move from hospital to their home with the support of intensive midwife back-up and access to a one-stop-shop for ongoing support and care,” Ms Meagher said.

“Ante-natal check-ups and clinics, one-on-one support and education sessions and home visiting services will be provided by doctors and midwives supported by other women’s health and family
specialists.”

Ms Meagher said the introduction of a home-birthing service for Illawarra families was another first for the region.

“The introduction of publicly-funded home-birthing services provides local women with another option when it comes to their pregnancy and birthing choices,” Ms Meagher said.

“South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service will work with midwives, obstetricians, general practitioners and community agencies to establish the home-birthing service based on the successful program operating from St George Hospital.

“Women involved in the program will receive continuity of care from midwives from the time of their booking, throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and post-natal care.”

Member for Shellharbour Lylea McMahon said a service targeted at Aboriginal mothers will also be established following the success of a similar community-based antenatal care centre at Malabar in Sydney’s south-east.

“Aboriginal mothers feel more comfortable in a non-traditional hospital setting and this centre will be designed to replicate the home environment so that people can feel more relaxed and comfortable,” Ms McMahon said.

“These services will provide local mothers with specialised care and support close to home.”

The family care centre will operate from Shellharbour Hospital’s decommissioned labour ward and will be operational within six months.

“Inpatient post-natal services will be provided from Wollongong Hospital, where the bulk of demand for maternity services continues to be,” Ms Meagher said.

“The local experience tells us that the majority of mothers choose to return home with their new babies as soon as possible. In fact, of the 78 women from the Shellharbour area who gave birth at Wollongong Hospital in January this year, only 18 chose to return to Shellharbour Hospital for inpatient post-natal care.”

Ms Meagher said the new services recognise that mothers want flexibility about their birthing choices with the support they need from locally-based midwives.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au