Page 2234 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 August 2022
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the highest proportion of births in the public system supported through midwife-led continuity of care. Through the plan the government has committed to more than 50 per cent of women and pregnant people having access to this model of care by 2028.
This is a significant commitment that will deliver better outcomes for Canberrans and require detailed planning with our brilliant midwives over the coming years. The expansion of this model will allow us to work with health professionals to grow a sustainable continuity of care workforce and attract midwives to the ACT.
Work will be undertaken with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, individuals experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage, and those with medical issues or a disability, to determine how to improve their access to this model of care. We receive great feedback on the all-risk continuity program through Centenary Hospital for Women and Children known as CatCH. We know though there is more demand than can currently be met.
The government understands the importance of connection to culture and country for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, pregnant people and their families. Our services will actively work with consumers, community organisations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and other stakeholders to understand what birthing on country means for the ACT region and to develop an ACT specific birthing on country model.
This land is and always will be Aboriginal land. The ACT government wants to ensure the public maternity system offers a culturally safe and appropriate place to support all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We will also work with culturally and linguistically diverse consumers and appropriate community organisations to ensure our maternity services are culturally sensitive and appropriate.
There is a strong focus on improving access to perinatal mental health services for women, pregnant people and their families. With perinatal depression and anxiety affecting one in five mothers or pregnant people, and one in ten fathers or partners, the impact on both parents and children can be significant. We are committed to increasing perinatal mental health supports for women, pregnant people and their families including improving referral pathways for early mental health supports.
This commitment is bolstered by the investment of more than $14 million through the 2022-23 budget that will expand access to perinatal mental health services including delivering a dialectical behavioural therapy program for mothers and infants. This is a significant commitment that my colleague, the Minister for Mental Health, will no doubt have more to say about.
In addition, the 2022-23 budget includes funding for a scoping study into residential mental health services for new parents and their babies, with the aim of delivering this service within the next four years.
Unfortunately, we know that pregnancy and birth do not always go to plan. Miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death and infant loss are tragic and traumatic events for parents, their loved ones and indeed those who care for them during pregnancy
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