P27 - MGP - the answer to sustainable rural maternity services in Victoria. The Journey from a service perspective

Abstract

For anyone with a knowledge and passion for Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) the answer to a sustainable rural maternity service seems simple. We know that continuity of care improves outcomes for birthing families but for smaller services it can also be the key to sustainability. Existing models of rural maternity care with the dual expectations of nurse/midwives are problematic, by changing the way midwives work to a caseload model of care through the implementation of MGP, rural maternity services are better able to recruit and retain midwives as well as respond to increased consumer demand for continuity of midwifery care. This presentation reflects on the experience of several health services in regional Victoria at different stages of their journey towards sustainable maternity care. These rural units are reinvigorating their maternity services by introducing MGP. This discussion looks at the journey towards MGP from the perspective of multiple services with the hope that sharing learnings will lay a better foundation for others to build on. As part of this discussion we will focus on the journey to change. The importance of collaborative partnerships with higher level services will be highlighted, not only for women with identified risk, but for improved quality, safety and governance. The value of midwives maintaining continued exposure to complex care for midwives working in low volume birthing units will also be discussed along with the industrial challenges that change brings. With the understanding that MGP offers greater sustainability for rural maternity services and the knowledge that continuity of carer is highly desired by women and has better outcomes for all women but particularly for some of the very vulnerable women and families in these disadvantaged rural communities is it time to look at the framework that surrounds the introduction of these models and for greater departmental and industrial support and reform?