Victoria’s maternity and newborn services are already some of the safest and highest quality in the world – and this will be strengthened through the Allan Labor Government’s new maternity taskforce.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced a taskforce will be established with a focus on ensuring hospitals have the best workforce and models of care in place – so families have access to safe, reliable care as close to home as possible.

The taskforce will identify opportunities and address known complex challenges that can have an effect on the service delivery of Victoria’s world-class maternity care, including workforce recruitment and retention.

Victoria has 52 maternity health service providers, including 33 in regional areas and the taskforce will have an initial focus on rural and regional areas – so they can continue to deliver the best care now and into the future.

The taskforce will be made up of nursing and midwifery experts – including the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Vic Branch and representatives from regional and rural health services.

A targeted expression of interest process to join the taskforce is underway, with work to review Victoria’s maternity system to identify strategies for improvement commencing shortly.

The taskforce will work with health services, community and experts to consider models of care that support women to have choice in their pregnancy and birth experiences, while strengthening rural and regional maternity workforces.

The Labor Government continues to make record investments including delivering a massive 28 per cent pay rise to Victoria’s nurses and midwives.

This is on top of a $270 million boost to the workforce, investing in scholarships up to $16,500 for more than 10,000 nursing and midwifery students, and creating more post graduate opportunities for practicing nurses and midwives.

The Nursing and Midwifery Graduate Sign-On Bonus was also delivered by the Labor Government, offering a $5,000 bonus to eligible graduates who then go on to work at a Victorian public health hospital.