"The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring access to safe, high-quality and timely maternity care for all women and their families, including in rural, regional and remote communities.
"Throughout last year's Birth Trauma Inquiry, we've heard what matters most to women, and their families, to improve the experience and wellbeing of pregnancy women and their families.
“In March this year, I had the pleasure of meeting with Jen Laurie, the Founder of Her Herd and the Bush Babies Campaign, to discuss the important issue of regional maternity services.
"Improving accessibility to maternity and paediatric care in our regional, rural and remote communities is a major focus for our government.
“Since coming to government, we have improved the availability of midwifery continuity of care models in regional NSW by opening new Midwifery Group Practices in Port Macquarie, Glen Innes, Goulburn, Moruya, Shoalhaven and an expanded service in Wollongong.
“Local health districts continually work with pregnant women to ensure they have care plans in place should changes be required.
“Maternity services in NSW are networked, ensuring women and their babies receive the safest care at the most appropriate facility.
“I acknowledge how disruptive it can be when the planned location of a birth changes and we sincerely apologise to any women who have experienced unexpected changes.
“At times, women may require transfer to an alternate facility for specialised, higher-level maternity care as part of the usual network structure or due to workforce shortages if needed.
“The challenge of attracting and retaining the required workforce, particularly specialist clinicians, is an ongoing challenge not just in NSW but across the entire country.
“That’s why we are improving access to care in our regional, rural and remote communities, including through:
- an investment of $200.1 million to deliver more health worker accommodation in the bush.
- doubling rural health incentives;
- delivering study subsidies for regional health workers;
- boosting doctors in our regional GP surgeries as well as hospitals through the single employer model; and
- delivering an extra 500 regional paramedics."
