$20 million boosts First Nations maternity care

• The Miles Government will invest an additional $20 million to expand the highly successful Growing Deadly Families program.
• The program has improved health of First Nations mothers and babies, seeing a decrease in rates of preterm birth and low birth weight.
• Funding will enable more women can access the program that provides familiar support throughout pregnancy and for up to six weeks postpartum.

A $20 million investment will be dedicated to developing care models that provide First Nations women with personalised, continuous and safe maternity services.

This funding will expand the successful Growing Deadly Families initiative.

New Growing Deadly Families programs will be established in Mount Isa, Redcliffe, and Mareeba, joining 12 existing programs statewide.

Additionally, a co-design project with the Palm Island community is planned for Townsville.

The funding boost will enable more Hospital and Health Services (HHS) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations to implement co-designed models of care within their communities.

The Growing Deadly Families program has demonstrated improvements in the health of First Nations mothers and babies.

Rates of preterm birth and low birth weight have decreased, and rates of breastfeeding have increased.

The program empowers First Nations mothers to receive care closer to home, ideally from familiar providers.

A core principle of Growing Deadly Families is to respect and incorporate the cultural traditions, values, and beliefs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

By listening to community needs, the program delivers culturally appropriate and safe maternal health services.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:

“We know that providing culturally appropriate care is crucial to the health and wellbeing of First Nations families.

“That’s why I’m thrilled we’re expanding this wonderful program so that more First Nations women can experience safe, positive, and empowering pregnancies and birth journeys.

“This incredible program has already produced positive results for First Nations women.

“This funding boost will deliver this essential healthcare, closer to home for communities in Mount Isa, Redcliffe, and Mareeba.

“This is yet another way the Miles Labor Government is delivering on our commitment to deliver choice and continuity of maternity care closer to home.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Cook Cynthia Lui:

“This is wonderful news for Mareeba mums and bubs, who will soon have access to even greater, high-quality, and culturally informed care.

“Supporting women and families in a safe way that values their needs and ideas really is the best way to Grow Deadly Families.

“This successful program is listening to and supporting families to have happier, healthier pregnancies, births and early days, and I am pleased to see the Mareeba community will be able to experience and build on the Growing Deadly Families program.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Health’s A/Chief First Nations Officer Angela Young: 

"Healthy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers are more likely to have healthy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.

“Investing in maternal health is vital to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

"Taking a woman-centred approach to maternity care that supports not only the physical needs of mum and bub, but also their cultural and spiritual needs is essential for providing optimal maternity care.

"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies are the future cultural custodians of this country, so when culture is embedded in maternity care, the whole community benefits.

“Through our First Nations First Health Strategy, we will continue to actively place First Nations peoples and their voices at the forefront of healthcare service design and delivery in Queensland.

ENDS 

Media contact – healthmedia@ministerial.qld.gov.au