One-on-one service for expecting mums
By Rebecca Wallis
Atherton’s mothersto-be will now be offered the same model of care as other hospitals in the region thanks to a decision to implement a Midwifery Group Practice model at the hospital next year. Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) announced last week that women will now see one midwife at the hospital throughout their pregnancy, birth and post-natal care. It is a system that has been in place at Mareeba Hospital for the past 10 years, as well as other hospitals in the region. Currently, women reportedly by-pass Atherton Hospital travelling from as far as Ravenshoe and Herberton to have their babies in Mareeba so they can receive one-on-one care. “Switching to this model will enable women to see the same person,” said Dean Stevens, Midwifery Unit Manager at Atherton Hospital. “All the evidence shows that one-on-one care leads to better outcomes for mothers and their babies. “Published data shows this model contributes to shorter labours, a lessened need for pain relief, fewer pregnancy complications and improved breastfeeding rates. “I am very excited for the community and our midwives that we will soon
be offering this service.” Heidi Brennan from A-Mama (Atherton Midwives and Mother’s Alliance) was one of the women behind the push to get the model introduced. “It’s familiarity,” she said. “Knowing what the woman wants and is comfortable with. And it is consistency of information. People have different ways of approaching things, so to have the same person looking after you throughout the whole process is far easier.” Tanya Fleming, a midwife at Atherton Hospital, said the new model of care will reduce the statistic that one in three women suffers birth trauma. “Having a baby is a massively important time in a woman’s life,” she said. “The transition from being a woman to being a mother is huge and it’s important they have one person with them through that journey.” Mrs Fleming said that having one person take care of mums-to-be throughout the whole birthing process was proven to reduce the need for drugs during labour. “It allows them to build a trusting relationship with a known midwife,” she said. “There are so many hormones flowing throughout pregnancy, labour and after the birth and those hormones aren’t going to work properly if the women don’t feel like they’re in
Three students get an OP1 not one but three Mareeba students have finished their schooling life at the top of their game. Aaron Bryce and Marco Soncin from St Stephen’s Catholic College and Tristan BurfordBaynes from Mareeba State High School got the news they were waiting for on Saturday when they all received an OP 1 score. Mareeba High School principal Scott Whybird said: “We are all very proud of Tristan and the
whole cohort of year 12’s.” St Stephen’s Catholic College principal Ida Pinese said: “Their results are a testament to the strong partnership that exists between students, teachers and families who work together to foster student well-being and improved student outcomes.” Mareeba High School also received two OP2s three OP3s, two OP4s and two OP5s, while St Stephens received five OP2s.
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Midwifery Unit Manager Dean Stevens (back left), Heidi Brennan from Atherton Midwives and Mother’s Allicance with River and Atherton midwife Tanya Fleming (back right) with new parents Stacey and Darren Ball and new baby Dakota.
a safe environment.” Denise Patterson, Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery at CHHHS said the new model had been agreed in principle and will be developed and implemented early in the new year. “I know many Atherton-area women and our midwifery staff are keen
for this to start quickly, however it will take some months as there is a process we need to work through to renegotiate industrial agreements,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working with our committed midwives at Atherton and our other hospitals, the union and the community, so we can introduce mid-
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wifery group practice next year.” The all-risk midwifery group practice model provides all pregnant women with the opportunity to receive one-on-one care from a known midwife from her first antenatal appointment until four weeks after the mother and baby are discharged from hospital.
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www.guilfoylefunerals.com.au The Express, Wednesday, December 20, 2017 PAGE 3