ACRRM says every Australian woman deserves access to quality maternity services

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is adding to the chorus of concern about the closure of rural maternity services and the consequent impacts on rural and remote women, their families, and their communities throughout Australia.

College President Dr Dan Halliday says that access to high-quality maternity care is the right of every Australian woman.

“ACRRM supports the provision of high-quality, equitable, culturally safe, woman-centred maternity care which is delivered as close as possible to where women live.

“It is vital, however, that the models of care are based on the needs of rural and remote women and their families rather than budgetary and/or other considerations.

“We are extremely concerned and disappointed that, after many years of constant advocacy to reinstate rural maternity services, we are now seeing them close down again.”

Dr Halliday says the solution is in training and supporting a Rural Generalist workforce.

“Rural Generalists are a key element in maintaining and increasing access to rural and remote maternity services.

“The Rural Generalist is trained to meet the healthcare needs of the community through a broad scope of practice which includes comprehensive primary care, public health, and advanced skills as appropriate for community need.

“These doctors can work independently or as part of a broader team to deliver a continuum of maternity care including preconception, antenatal and postnatal care. “Many also provide more advanced GP obstetric, anaesthetic and emergency procedural services.

“ACRRM is the home of rural generalism and we are committed to providing training which meets the requirements of this scope of practice. “We are working as part of a Rural Generalist Recognition Taskforce to have Rural Generalist Medicine recognised as a specialist field within general practice, and a protected title for Rural Generalists.”

Dr Halliday says that securing sustainable rural maternity services requires a coordinated national approach which includes not only training and support for the maintenance of skills and workforce, but flexible models of care, together with infrastructure and clinical support and coordination and collaboration between the Commonwealth and states and territories.

“A coordinated national effort is required to stop further downgrading of rural maternity services and work proactively to re-establish those facilities which have been closed,” Dr Halliday adds.

“ACRRM is ready to provide the benefit of its experience and expertise to work with all governments and other stakeholders to maintain and improve these vital services.”

ENDS