NSW Health is delivering a range of initiatives to improve maternity care and the experiences of women, babies and families across NSW.
This work responds to what women and families have told us matters and focuses on strengthening care across pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
Women told us that respectful and trauma-informed care should underpin all aspects of maternity care. Women want to be listened to, involved in decisions about their care and supported in ways that recognise their individual circumstances, needs and preferences.
NSW Health is developing statewide Respectful Maternity Care training to strengthen clinicians’ knowledge, skills and confidence in informed decision-making, valid consent and supporting women who choose options outside clinical recommendations. Training is expected to commence in early 2027.
Women told us that continuity of care matters.
Since 2024, 20 new or expanded midwifery continuity of care models have been established (as of August 2026) across NSW, including Midwifery Group Practices, Midwifery Antenatal and Postnatal Services and publicly funded homebirth services.
NSW Health is working with regional local health districts to expand access based on local community needs. An additional 53 full-time equivalent midwifery positions have been funded in regional NSW to support this expansion over the next four years.
Aboriginal women and families told us that culturally safe and responsive maternity care is essential. Women value strong relationships with care providers, involvement of family and community, access to Aboriginal-led models where available, and care that recognises culture, Country and self-determination. Women also emphasised the need for maternity services to be integrated with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to improve experiences and outcomes for Aboriginal families.
Women and families want equitable access to respectful, evidence-based maternity care regardless of where they live. Improving regional maternity services is a priority for the NSW Government.
Find out more on networked maternity and neonatal care in NSW, including Pregnancy Connect.
NSW Health is continuing to expand maternity continuity of care models, redesigning education for staff at non-birthing sites and exploring ways to provide maternity and neonatal care as close to home as possible. An additional 53 full-time equivalent midwifery positions have been funded in regional NSW to support this expansion over the next four years.
Women need clear, accessible information to make informed decisions about their care, including information about maternity care options and the risks and benefits of interventions, such as an induction of labour.
NSW Health is continuing to improve the way that information is provided to women and families across their maternity care journey, including statewide antenatal education, psychological preparation for parenthood and breastfeeding, and video tours of birthing facilities and care support units.
We have partnered with Rainbow Families to deliver an inclusive antenatal education and pregnancy support program for LGBTQ+ families across NSW. We are also partnering with Cerebral Palsy Alliance to increase awareness of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and promote hygiene-based prevention strategies in pregnancy. Key maternity resources are also being translated into multiple languages to improve access to clear, culturally appropriate information.
Women and families told us that people with complex care needs benefit from earlier, more coordinated and woman-centred support, with services working together and care tailored to individual circumstances.
SafeStart is being expanded beyond mental health screening to identify a broader range of psychosocial and wellbeing needs, including substance abuse and domestic and family violence, using a trauma-informed, strengths-based and culturally responsive approach. When complex factors are identified, care teams connect women and families with appropriate support pathways.
Pregnancy Family Conferencing, a partnership between NSW Health and the Department of Communities and Justice, supports eligible families to plan for the safe care of their baby after birth where child safety concerns are identified during pregnancy. The service is now available across NSW and is expanding to meet the needs of regional and rural communities.
Women and families told us they need individualised, compassionate and supportive care and access to clear information when experiencing pregnancy complications, including pregnancy or newborn loss and unexpected diagnoses.
NSW Health is supporting the implementation of the Pregnancy and Perinatal Loss guideline and making national consumer pregnancy and newborn loss resources, including Aboriginal family resources, more accessible for NSW maternity clinicians.
We are improving access to clear, culturally appropriate and translated resources for women, families and clinicians.
NSW Health is creating environments where breastfeeding is protected, promoted and supported, and helping women who want to breastfeed do so successfully.
