A model approach to maternity care

The model has a ‘know your carer’ team approach, enabling a woman to see the same group of health professionals through her pregnancy, birth and post-natal period.

To support the philosophy, the hospital’s maternity section has undergone redevelopment with two large maternity wards replaced by five smaller units, each with three birthing rooms and five pre-natal and post-natal beds.

Staff have also undergone change with medical practitioners, midwives and nurses working collaboratively in five teams to reduce the number of health care professionals a woman sees over the course of her pregnancy.

The same model of care has also been applied to the newly-formed Women’s Health Unit (comprising 10 gynaecology beds), the Pregnancy Day Stay Program and Maternity Outreach Support Service (MOSS) clinic for women with special needs.

‘Women can now see familiar health professionals and build a rapport,’ said Sunshine Hospital Service Enhancement Coordinator Jane Newbound.

‘Their individual needs are met and there is provision for consistent support, information, education and guidance from the time of booking into the hospital through to home visits in the early parenting period.

‘When we asked our clients what they wanted from the health service, it was clear women saw the opportunity to ‘know your carer’ as important.

‘People appreciate seeing the same person,’ Ms Newbound said.

‘It helps establish a relationship and the ongoing carer understands their individual needs.

‘It also means there is more consistency in the information given.

‘The model provides services for both public and private patients.

‘The facilities include single and double rooms—taking away the old ward style.

‘Women also benefit from no longer having to be moved from the first floor delivery suite to the second floor maternity area.

‘They stay in one room.’

Ms Newbound said the new model also encouraged greater family involvement with preparations under way for partners to accompany mums-to-be in birthing rooms.

Phase 2 of the development would be to provide more satellite clinics in different areas of the community, following the success of the first clinic established in Sunbury, Ms Newbound said.

Sunshine Hospital delivers about 2,850 babies annually.

• For more information contact Jane Newbound on 8345 1991.