05 May 2008

NSW leads the way in Aboriginal Maternity Health Services

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said the Iemma Government continues to lead the country in maternity services for Aboriginal women with the roll out of further services under the Aboriginal and Maternal Infant Health Strategy (AMIHS).

"Nowhere in Australia is there a strategy for Aboriginal women which has been so successful and we are continuing to move forward to offer it across the whole state," Ms Meagher said.

"AMIHS services were initially funded in 2000 to run in 7 rural communities and provide community-based midwifery care in pregnancy and the early postnatal period. They are also involved in community development initiatives that promote healthy lifestyle choices."

The AMIHS model was thoroughly evaluated in 2005. The findings were:

• Significantly more women attended their first antenatal visit before 20 weeks
• More women initiated breastfeeding and more were still breastfeeding at 6 weeks after their baby was born
• There was a significant reduction in the number of babies born pre-term and birth weight had increased
• Aboriginal women were very satisfied with the services provided.

"Too often there is a negative focus on services for Aboriginal communities. This is an example where a strategy has been meticulously developed with local people and health services, and it is making a difference.

"Evidence tells us that the sooner women connect to their health service the healthier they and their baby will be.

"In areas where the AMIHS model has been implemented 78 per cent of Aboriginal women had attended their first antenatal visit before 20 weeks, compared with 64 per cent before the strategy was implemented."

Ms Meagher said currently there are AMIHS services running in 14 areas across NSW. That will now be rolled out to a further 17 areas, bringing the total NSW Government commitment to the AMIHS model to $7.2 million.

"We are constantly adding to the strategy and today I am also launching an Aboriginal Pregnancy Handbook," Ms Meagher said.

All You Need to Know About a Healthy Pregnancy for a Healthy Baby: An Aboriginal Personal Pregnancy Handbook has been specifically designed for Aboriginal women.

"This is a great resource that empowers Aboriginal women by guiding them through the different stages of pregnancy so they know what to expect and when," Ms Meagher said.

The Iemma Government is committed to offering improved services to Aboriginal women and the Handbook is another tool in that commitment. The Pregnancy Handbook has been tailored to each community where there is an AMIHS service, including local photos, and will be freely available to all Aboriginal women accessing the service.

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