Health Minister responds to calls for faster action on birth trauma | PS News
Better Births Illawarra advocates for better continuity of care within the region. Photo: Keeli Royle. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has countered claims that progress on the recommendations out of the NSW. . .
Better Births Illawarra advocates for better continuity of care within the region. Photo: Keeli Royle. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has countered claims that progress on the recommendations out of the NSW Legislative Council inquiry into birth trauma has been too slow, highlighting the State Government’s record on maternity reform. His comments followrecent calls from advocacy group Better Births Illawarra(BBI) for faster action. Speaking during Birth Trauma Awareness Week (13–19 July), BBI warned that a fragmented system continued to put local mothers at risk — a critical issue for the Illawarra, which accounted for the majority of submissions to the inquiry. However, Mr Park, who is also the Member for Keira, maintained the government was actively making headway on the inquiry’s findings. “We have made considerable improvements to the provision of maternity care across the state to address the birth trauma inquiry’s recommendations,” Mr Park said. “Forty-two recommendations were supported or supported in principle by the NSW Government (the final recommendation was noted as an action for the chair), and we are working as diligently as possible to ensure they are realised as quickly as possible. ”Addressing concerns over timing, Mr Park pointed to five key initiatives accelerated in two years in response to the inquiry. The measures target expanded continuity of care, trauma-informed practices, clearer patient information, improved consent processes and enhanced support for pregnancy complications. “All of the accelerated initiatives are on track to be delivered by the end of July,” he said. The minister also highlighted funding backing the reform, including an additional $83 million allocated in the 2025/26 NSW Budget for maternity care, family care centres and maternal vaccination. Of that total, $44. 8 million directly expands on the initial five fast-tracked measures. The investment is set to fund standardised statewide patient experience metrics, respectful care training for clinicians, enhanced antenatal education and 53 full-time equivalent midwife roles across regional areas. “Recruitment is currently underway for the additional 53 full-time equivalent midwives in regional NSW, including in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District,” Mr Park said. He added that local progress had been building over the past two years, pointing to new and expanded midwifery continuity-of-care models across the state, including a new Midwifery Group Practice in the Shoalhaven and the expansion of Wollongong’s practice, both in 2024. “We continue to work closely with local health districts to support the planning of new and/or enhanced midwifery continuity of care models, ensuring they meet the needs of local communities,” he said. A progress update was welcomed by BBI representatives this week. BBI President Sharon Settecasse said “real progress” had been made, but called for more transparency. “We know this takes time, and we’re not underestimating the work that’s gone into what’s already been delivered,” she said. “We know this government has taken the inquiry seriously, we know Minister Park is deeply committed to preventing birth trauma, and we want to keep working with the minister to see it through. “Our ask now is about visibility and the pace of implementing the recommendations. We’d love to see that same level of detail the minister’s office has shared today be ongoing — regular, plain-English public reporting so the community can see the momentum building alongside us. “Many of the 4200 women came from the Illawarra and would be pleased to see this progress. ”Ms Settecasse noted that even with every model on the minister’s list up and running, the organisation was still working from an estimate that seven in 10 women and birthing parents in NSW missed out on midwifery continuity of care. “The direction this government is taking is to be applauded; however, we feel the pace is too slow given the impact that birth trauma has on mothers and babies. “We just want to keep the momentum going until every woman and birthing parent, wherever they live, has access to a known midwife through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. ”Original Article published by Dione David onRegion Illawarra.