Maternity In Focus

Maternity in Focus represents the first steps to evolve our maternity system to become more woman and person-centred and continue to support our excellent frontline healthcare workers.

It is a holistic approach to reform underpinned by a focus on individualised care, equity, and evidence.

Download the Maternity in Focus: The ACT Public Maternity System Plan 2022-2032.

Developing Maternity in Focus

The recommendations from the following documents were consolidated in the development of Maternity in Focus:

• ACT Government Response to the Legislative Assembly’s Inquiry into Maternity Services in the ACT 
• Woman-centred care: Strategic directions for Australian maternity services
• National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan
• Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy: 2019 and beyond
• Evaluation of the Publicly Funded Homebirth trial in the Australian Capital Territory 
• Safer Baby Bundle

ACT Health Directorate lead Maternity in Focus in close collaboration with CHS, North Canberra Hospital and Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre (QEII), consumers, non-government organisations, academic leads in maternity related fields, and health service providers.

Aims of Maternity in Focus

The system-wide focus of this plan will deliver system and service level changes that better support the needs of individuals accessing the public maternity systems and the multidisciplinary health professionals working within the system.

Through this plan, there will be ongoing involvement with consumers, community sector and health professionals to evolve the maternity system to meet the ongoing needs and desires of consumers and health professionals.

Ongoing, strong collaboration and engagement by all public maternity services providers, consumers and interested external stakeholders will be vital to successfully implement Maternity in Focus.

Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme

The Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme is now open for eligible applicants working in Canberra’s public maternity system.

Through the scheme you can receive paid professional development opportunities across a range of fields, including reimbursement for a course you’ve already completed in the 2023-24 financial year.

Applications close 5 pm AEST on Wednesday 15 May 2024.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants must be one of the following:

• a midwife, nurse or doctor working in Canberra’s public maternity system
• a general practitioner providing shared care to women and pregnant people in the ACT
• a maternity staff member at Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health
• a staff member from Tresillian, Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre

Applicants must be currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

To see the full list of criteria read the Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme Applicant Guidelines.

What the scholarship scheme covers

Applicants can apply for reimbursement to undertake professional development from 4 priority areas outlined in the Maternity in Focus: First Action Plan 2022-2025.

These are:

• Priority 1: perinatal loss, perinatal mental health, bereavement care and lactation specific education, including sitting the International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant certification examination.
• Priority 2: providing culturally appropriate care, trauma-informed care or postgraduate courses to become an endorsed midwife.
• Priority 3: any area that aligns with a goal and associated action in the Maternity in Focus: First Action Plan 2022-2025.
• Priority 4: an area identified as a workforce shortage and approved by the line manager. These include but are not limited to laparoscopy, vacuum-assisted delivery, maternity safety, obstetric multi-professional training, breech deliveries, and bedside sonography.

The scheme can be used to pay for a course you have already completed in the current 2023-24 financial year.

The scheme can also be used to cover the cost of a course you would like to take. You will need to have an invoice for your registration or enrolment before applications close on 15 May 2024.

Scholarship scheme offers will be awarded on merit following assessment against the selection criteria and against other applications. Not all applications may be successful.

How to apply

Follow these steps to apply for the Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme:

• Read the Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme Applicant Guidelines.
• Complete the Maternity in Focus Workforce Scholarship Scheme Application Form.
• Discuss your application with your manager and complete the Manager Recommendation Form.
• Email completed and signed Application Form, Manager Recommendation Form and copies of supporting documents to maternityinfocusscholarships@act.gov.au

Applications close 5 pm AEST Wednesday 15 May 2024.

Next steps

Over the next ten years, we will work together to make changes to the public maternity system and services through evidence and innovation to achieve these goals and actions, and to make the ACT public maternity services the best in Australia.

As a first step, during the next four years the ACT Government will commence implementation of Maternity in Focus through the Maternity in Focus: First Action Plan 2022-2025.

The actions identified for implementation over this timeframe will deliver essential reform, create the foundation to evolve the public maternity system and deliver on government commitment to delivery better care when and were people need it.

Maternity services available in the ACT

Each year, over 6,000 women, pregnant people and their families access the ACT maternity system for their pregnancy and birth.

For more information on your options for maternity care, visit the having a baby webpage.