The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) welcomes the Queensland government’s announcement in Parliament today that its ‘Better births with consent’ workshops will be delivered to doctors and obstetricians to promote a deeper understanding of respectful, trauma-informed maternity and birthing care.

Yesterday the government announced it would invest $4.4 million towards skill boosting workshops that will deliver better outcomes and care for expectant mums and their babies.

The Courier Mail reported these workshops would be delivered specifically to midwives. 

“The government’s clarification that the workshops will also be delivered to doctors and obstetricians who deliver maternity care is good news given midwives don’t work in isolation,” said QNMU Secretary Sarah Beaman.

“Midwives work as part of a multi-disciplinary maternity care team.

“Our midwives are wholeheartedly committed to evidence-based care and informed consent.

“Our midwives are well equipped to provide maternity services that respond to a person’s needs and expectations and reduce birth trauma.

“Our midwives are committed to ongoing professional development to ensure their services remain best practice and they welcome any opportunity to upskill.”

Ms Beaman said midwives, doctors and obstetricians all understand the current challenges of providing maternity services in regional areas.

“We agree with the Health Minister that there is no silver bullet to addressing the challenges of providing maternity services in regional areas,” said Ms Beaman.

“But our rural and remote midwives are among the best in the business and have world-leading skills and knowledge. 

“They know what it takes to provide best practice maternity services in rural and remote areas and the very unique communities they serve.

“Queensland is incredibly lucky to have such brilliant health staff employed in our system. 

“We look forward to continuing to work with the government to improve maternity services right across the state.