The state government of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has endorsed 42 of the 43 recommendations from the Birth Trauma Inquiry to enhance the maternity care experience for pregnant women and their families.
The inquiry's findings underscored the necessity for 'respectful, compassionate, trauma-informed and culturally safe' maternity services.
In response, NSW Health is now expediting five initiatives over the next 12 months with the aim to provide equitable, evidence-based maternity care.
These efforts include increasing access to maternity continuity of care models, refining the delivery of birth trauma information to women, embedding trauma-informed care, improving consent processes, and supporting those with pregnancy complications.
The actions follow extensive consultations with more than 18,000 women, their partners and families in the development of a report published last year.
Since its release, the report has been used by local health districts to reshape and enhance maternity services.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said: “The NSW Government supports in full or in principle 42 of the 43 recommendations, noting that the other recommendation is for the Chair to action.
“We have heard what matters most to women, and their families, to meet their diverse needs.
“The Government Response outlines our ongoing commitment and the actions underway to improve their experiences and health and wellbeing outcomes.”
The NSW government said its commitment to improving maternity care is evident in its cross-agency collaboration, Brighter Beginnings, which involves investing A$376.5m ($256.6m) to support children and families from pregnancy to school age.
Other significant investments include the A$130.9m Family Start Package and an A$6.19m commitment to improve specialist maternity care access, as well as the development of a Perinatal Loss guideline to fortify bereavement support.
The government has also revised its SAFE START policy to provide evidence-based psychosocial and mental health screening and ensure that women are referred to specialist support services where necessary.
