ACRRM: Rural maternity service in Queensland reflect broader national issues

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) says that recent publicity about the impact of declining rural maternity services in Queensland highlights a broader national issue which impacts significantly on the health and wellbeing of rural women and their families.

College President, Assoc Prof Ruth Stewart said that a coordinated national effort is required not only to stop the further downgrading of rural maternity services, but also to work proactively to establish or resurrect those facilities which had been closed.

“Over the past two decades, we have seen an ongoing decline in rural birthing services. But with over 34,000 babies born each year in locations classified as outer regional, remote and very remote, it is essential that rural maternity service models are supported,” she said.

“Unfortunately, many rural and remote maternity services have been closed under the guise of quality and safety and the need to manage risk.

“This is despite the fact there is ample evidence that outcomes for rural maternity services are as good, or better than, those in urban areas. And as has been recently been highlighted, there are significantly greater risks for mothers and babies where no services are available.

Assoc Prof Stewart said that high quality maternity services can be provided by rural generalist doctors who often have procedural skills in obstetrics and anaesthetics, working closely with midwives and other health professionals as part of a dedicated and highly skilled maternity care team.

“The current work to develop a National Rural Generalist Program should assist in securing this sustainable rural obstetrics workforce,” she said.