Workshop focuses on better health care for Aboriginal mums and babies

New services for Aboriginal women are being established across the Hunter New England Health region as part of the Aboriginal and Maternal Infant Health Strategy. (AMIHS)
 
On Friday 11 July, a workshop will be held in Tamworth bringing together Midwives, Community Health and Aboriginal Health managers to plan how the program can work effectively in providing culturally appropriate antenatal and early post natal services in Aboriginal communities.

Women’s Health and Maternity (WHAM) Clinical Leader, Anne Saxton, said the workshop is an opportunity for HNE Health managers to discuss ways of making AMIHS services consistent across the region.

“It’s a great service, an Aboriginal Health worker (AHW) works in conjunction with a midwife and local GP’s to bridge cultural gaps. It’s having a positive impact in Aboriginal communities,” Ms Saxton said.

“The AMIHS program is a very practical solution to improve the health of Aboriginal mums and their babies,” she said. 

AMIHS Services were initially funded by the NSW Government to run across seven rural communities providing community-based midwifery care in pregnancy and the early postnatal period. The AMIHS program has now expanded to 17 areas across NSW. 

Since its implementation the AMIHS program has:

• Shown an increase in the number of Aboriginal women attending their first antenatal visit before 20 weeks by 14 per cent.
• More women initiating breastfeeding and more still breastfeeding at six weeks after their baby was born.
• Significantly reduced the number of babies born pre-term and birth weight had increased.
• Aboriginal women were very satisfied with the services provided. 

Media are invited to attend the workshop held at the Frog and Toad Function Centre on the Goonoo Goonoo Road 10am-2pm, interviews are available at 11.00am during morning tea.

Contact: Kylie Dawson (Communication Unit)

Phone: (02) 6767 7136 or 0408 667 299