The Belmont branch of the CWA is seeking urgent improvements to maternity services and support in rural and regional NSW.
A catalyst for the formation of the Country Women’s Association of NSW (CWA) a century ago was the need for adequate maternal health assistance in the bush.
And, 100 years on, the organisation continues to advocate for expectant mothers and their families, with the critical issue the focus of this year’s annual Awareness Week campaign.
The 2022 crusade, from 4 to 10 September, highlights the vital need for improved maternity services and support across rural and regional areas.
Belmont CWA president Ailsa Stewart admitted the issue was on the association’s radar at its annual State Conference in Sydney in May.
“A number of branch motions were put to members around the need for improved maternity services and care in rural and remote NSW, as well as the establishment of a dedicated hotline to support women in those areas to navigate available maternity support services,” she said.
“On the final day of the conference, in the wake of the release of findings from a NSW parliamentary inquiry into rural and regional health, a motion of urgency was unanimously endorsed by members, calling for immediate action by state and federal governments to address the current crisis in the provision of primary medical services as a result of the lack of general practitioners and medical staffing in hospitals in rural NSW.”
One of the key recommendations centred around establishing a review of rural maternity services in the wake of the closure of dozens of hospital birthing units around the state.
“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,” Ms Stewart said.
“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.
“It seems fitting that in the CWA’s centenary year, we’re continuing the advocacy around urgent improvements to maternal and antenatal care for country residents.
“We’re simply asking for the same levels of care city-based people expect and we don’t think equity is too much to ask.
“Those living in rural and regional NSW pay the same taxes as everyone else and your postcode shouldn’t dictate the standard of basic healthcare requirements.”
In 2022, the CWA of NSW is partnering with the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) and the Gidget Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that provides programs to support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents.
The association will also host a webinar during Awareness Week on the question of: What does quality maternity care look like in regional NSW?, which will include a panel discussion featuring health professionals, academics, consumer advocates and CWA members.
As part of CWA of NSW Awareness Week, the Belmont branch will stage a display at the Belmont Public Library on CWA activities and maternity health in rural and regional NSW.
The centrepiece will be a quilt, entitled A Year of Challenges – Fire, Flood, Drought and COVID.
It was made by the members of Belmont CWA as a group project and reflects the confrontations everyone has faced over the past few years.
