Published Sunday, 20 May, 2007 at 02:30 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
BEATTIE GOVERNMENT TO ENHANCE SUPPORT TO NEW PARENTS
All mothers of newborns in Queensland will be able to receive follow-up contact after they leave hospital to ensure they are coping with the early stresses of parenthood, the Premier Peter Beattie and Deputy Premier and Treasurer Anna Bligh announced today.
Mr Beattie said this year’s State Budget would include funding for a new $29.67 million Universal Postnatal Contact Service involving midwives, nurses and other child health professionals.
The service will begin next year in several pilot sites before progressively rolling out across the State by 2012 when Queensland’s annual birth rate is expected to exceed 70,000.
Last year, more than 55,000 babies were born in Queensland public and private hospitals.
“Supporting our young families is one of the best investments the State Government could make in building stronger communities,” Mr Beattie said.
“Bringing home and caring for a newborn in those very early stages can be one of the most joyful and stressful experiences in anyone’s life.
“Research backs that up, showing more than 50 percent of new parents report problems with their infant’s behaviour and feeding and half of these feel they need professional help.
“This new service will give new mums and dads a one-off check-up and allows them the chance to talk through any concerns they have with a health professional,” Mr Beattie said.
The Deputy Premier said this new service will provide the reassurance and expert advice parents need to ensure the best possible beginning in a child’s life.
“I know that going home with your baby is a wonderful experience, but at times it can also be a confusing and isolating time,” Ms Bligh said.
“This program will help those parents who need a bit of extra advice and reassurance,” the Deputy Premier said.
Under the Universal Postnatal Contact Service:
• All mothers of newborns will receive one occasion of contact by a qualified child health professional – mostly a nurse – through a phone consultation, a home visit or by visiting their nearest community health centre;
• The contact will occur within 10 days of discharge and aim to assess how the baby and family are coping and to provide appropriate support where necessary;
• Further assistance from the health system will be managed by Queensland health services or other Government agencies and relevant non-government organisations; and
• Offers to provide the contact service will occur prior to mothers being discharged from hospital to determine the level of need and how the family would like to be contacted.
“In 2007-08, $4.15 million will be spent to commence the service building up to $12.37 million in 2010-11,” Ms Bligh said.
“More than 100 full-time equivalent staff - mostly nurses - will be recruited during this period to operate the service statewide.”
Ms Bligh said the first years of a child’s life were widely considered to be the most critical period in their development.
“That is why we have a responsibility to give babies every chance to have the best start in life and supporting and guiding parents through this stage is one way of achieving this aim,” she said.
“Similar services in other parts of Australia and overseas have recorded improvements in several areas such child immunisation rates, behavioural problems, child nutrition, and parents’ ability to care for and protect their children.”
Sunday May 20 May, 2007
MEDIA: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Deputy Premier’s Office – 3224 6900
Mr Beattie said this year’s State Budget would include funding for a new $29.67 million Universal Postnatal Contact Service involving midwives, nurses and other child health professionals.
The service will begin next year in several pilot sites before progressively rolling out across the State by 2012 when Queensland’s annual birth rate is expected to exceed 70,000.
Last year, more than 55,000 babies were born in Queensland public and private hospitals.
“Supporting our young families is one of the best investments the State Government could make in building stronger communities,” Mr Beattie said.
“Bringing home and caring for a newborn in those very early stages can be one of the most joyful and stressful experiences in anyone’s life.
“Research backs that up, showing more than 50 percent of new parents report problems with their infant’s behaviour and feeding and half of these feel they need professional help.
“This new service will give new mums and dads a one-off check-up and allows them the chance to talk through any concerns they have with a health professional,” Mr Beattie said.
The Deputy Premier said this new service will provide the reassurance and expert advice parents need to ensure the best possible beginning in a child’s life.
“I know that going home with your baby is a wonderful experience, but at times it can also be a confusing and isolating time,” Ms Bligh said.
“This program will help those parents who need a bit of extra advice and reassurance,” the Deputy Premier said.
Under the Universal Postnatal Contact Service:
• All mothers of newborns will receive one occasion of contact by a qualified child health professional – mostly a nurse – through a phone consultation, a home visit or by visiting their nearest community health centre;
• The contact will occur within 10 days of discharge and aim to assess how the baby and family are coping and to provide appropriate support where necessary;
• Further assistance from the health system will be managed by Queensland health services or other Government agencies and relevant non-government organisations; and
• Offers to provide the contact service will occur prior to mothers being discharged from hospital to determine the level of need and how the family would like to be contacted.
“In 2007-08, $4.15 million will be spent to commence the service building up to $12.37 million in 2010-11,” Ms Bligh said.
“More than 100 full-time equivalent staff - mostly nurses - will be recruited during this period to operate the service statewide.”
Ms Bligh said the first years of a child’s life were widely considered to be the most critical period in their development.
“That is why we have a responsibility to give babies every chance to have the best start in life and supporting and guiding parents through this stage is one way of achieving this aim,” she said.
“Similar services in other parts of Australia and overseas have recorded improvements in several areas such child immunisation rates, behavioural problems, child nutrition, and parents’ ability to care for and protect their children.”
Sunday May 20 May, 2007
MEDIA: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Deputy Premier’s Office – 3224 6900