North West Hospital and Health Service (HHS) is delighted to recognise four years of supporting women in the region during pregnancy and birth through the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) model of care.

Since the first birth on 1 June 2019, the program has provided exceptional care and support to 850 women throughout the North West region, marking a significant milestone providing women with continuous, personalised care.

Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery, and Clinical Governance Michelle Garner said with Mount Isa having one of the highest birth rates in the state, the MGP program has become an integral part of the health service’s commitment to delivering excellence in maternity care.

“We are thrilled to celebrate four years of the MGP program at our hospital. This model puts women in the centre of their care and ensures that every woman receives the support she needs, allowing for a more positive and satisfying pregnancy and birth experience,” Ms. Garner said.

This approach is supporting positive birth outcomes and enhancing the overall wellbeing of both mothers and babies in the North West, with the program consistently receiving positive feedback from women who have participated.

“In the first 18 months of the program, we recorded an 89% excellent satisfaction rate regarding safe maternal and neonatal outcomes. Since then, more than 70% of the maternity service consumer satisfaction surveys completed continue to be by MGP consumers.

“Evidence has shown that a woman who receives care from a known midwife is more likely to have a positive experience of labour and birth, be more satisfied with her care and successfully breastfeed.”

Through the MGP program, a woman is supported by the same midwife and a small group of assisting midwives throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and afterwards at home for up to six weeks.

The MGP program provides an exceptional service not only in Mount Isa, but also in outreach communities across the North West, supporting many of our First Nations women and babies.

MGP midwives work closely with obstetricians and other healthcare providers to ensure that the woman receives care tailored to her needs.

MGP access is by self-referral. If you are pregnant and would like to self-refer, call the MGP clinic landline on 4764 0880 and leave a message.