Queensland to introduce nation-leading midwife ratios for mums and bubs

• The Palaszczuk Government is introducing laws to introduce midwife-to-patient ratios in Queensland maternity wards.
• In an Australian first, babies will be counted as separate patients when they are in the same room as their parent.
• A ratio of one midwife to every six patients, including babies, will be introduced to ensure safer care for mums and bubs.

Minimum midwife-to-patient ratios will be implemented in postnatal maternity wards at Queensland’s major hospitals.

The move will be made possible by changes to the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023, which is being introduced to Parliament this week.

Under the proposed laws, a newborn baby will be counted as a separate patient when they are staying in the same hospital room as their birth parent.

A minimum ratio of one midwife to every six patients will be introduced.

The change will help calculate midwife-to-patient ratios on maternity wards and ensure families are receiving the safest, highest-quality care possible.

In 2015, the Palaszczuk Government lead the nation by introducing Australia’s first nurse-to-patient ratios in adult medical, surgical and mental health wards in public health facilities, as well as across Queensland Health’s 16 public residential aged care facilities.

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

“Ensuring Queensland mothers have access to world-class maternity care is one of my highest priorities.

“That is why I am so proud of our decision to expand our nation-leading ratios in Queensland hospitals into maternity wards.

“Counting babies as a separate patient to their parent will ensure our extraordinary midwives can provide safer, more comprehensive, and more compassionate care to families.

“Our existing nurse-to-patient ratios have been proven to be very effective.

“That’s why I’m so proud that we will be introducing a one-to-six ratio for midwives and their patients.

“This is something our midwives have been calling for for years, and I want to acknowledge the tireless advocacy of our incredible frontline health staff.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union Secretary, Kate Veach:

“Today’s announcement of legislation containing midwifery ratios of one midwife to three women and three babies, or a total of six individuals, on Queensland Health postnatal maternity wards is a huge win for Queensland.”

“Ensuring each baby is counted as an additional patient alongside the mother is also an Australian first. Once this legislation is passed, Queensland Health will lead the way in the provision of safe, public inpatient maternity care in Australia.  

“The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union and our members have long campaigned for safe midwifery ratios to keep mothers, babies and midwives safe.”

“Today is a great day for Queensland.”  

ENDS

Media Contact: Phoenix Campbell 0439 949 719