Region wide strategy to improve maternal and child health

Both Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) and the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) made a commitment to improving maternal and child health across the region with the signing of the Murrumbidgee Maternal and Child Health Strategy 2019-2022 today.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said the strategy highlights the importance of achieving positive maternal and child health outcomes for the Murrumbidgee region.

“The intent of the strategy is for both MPHN and MLHD to have an agreed framework to guide investment, partnership and implementation over the next three years with the aim of better maternal and child health outcomes in our region,” Ms Neal said.

“To achieve this, we must work together to integrate and build on the existing strengths of our community, primary care and hospital-based services, and deliver high-quality and innovative service models in response to local needs and provide positive care experiences for families in the Murrumbidgee.

“This will enable us to sustainably grow the services and supports available to women and families, from conception and through the early years of a child’s life and provides appropriate targeted interventions for priority issues and vulnerable populations within our communities.

“I would like to thank those who generously and willingly gave their time to provide feedback to help in the development of this strategy and we look forward to continuing this work over the next three years as we implement the Maternal and Child Health Strategy,” she said.

MLHD CE Jill Ludford said the region wide strategy complements the New South Wales wide First 2000 Days Framework.

The goals and priorities outlined in the strategy closely reflect the First 2000 Days Framework recently released by the NSW Ministry of Health, which the Murrumbidgee LHD is responsible for implementing within this region,” Ms Ludford said.

“The strategy identifies practical steps to respond to the needs and challenges of our region and plays an important role in ensuring our efforts to improve health outcomes for children, women and families are coordinated and work together.

“On behalf of all MLHD staff, I look forward to working with our MPHN colleagues, service providers in the primary care and community settings, and community representatives, to improve maternal and child health outcomes in the Murrumbidgee region,” she said.

Read the Maternal and Child Health Strategy here.