The urgent need for improved maternity services and support across rural and regional NSW is the focus of the Forbes Evening CWA Branch’s annual Awareness Week campaign. Robyn Miller, President of Forbes Evening Branch as well as Oxley CWA Group, said the issue was on the CWA’s radar at its annual state conference in Sydney in May.
“Just because you choose to live outside our major cities doesn’t mean you should have to tolerate a lower standard of medical care and support,” said Robyn. “Expectant mothers and new mothers should feel safe and supported, but what we heard during and after the inquiry was that this is far from the case for those living in rural and regional areas.”
Robyn said it was valuable to hear from the maternity team at the Lachlan Health Service that our birthing care is of the highest standards. “The expert team of doctors and nurses providing care in Lachlan, throughout the maternity journey of women and families, are focused on support and care that is evidence based and provided in partnership,” said Robyn.
There is sometimes a need based on the individual requirements of a woman to escalate her care to a centre with specific treatment options – we are fortunate to have Orange to provide this tertiary care.
Lachlan Health Service Manager Rach Ellem said: “There is a long history of dedicated clinicians that endures today across Lachlan Maternity Services. The community can be very confident in the level of expertise and care provided locally.”
*Visit the Forbes Evening CWA Branch Centenary Display at the Forbes Show where we will have a Lachlan Maternity Services midwife available at various times to discuss the services available in the Commercial Pavilion today and tomorrow.
By Sue Cunningh