Midwives working in country hospitals across Queensland are now getting a helping hand from their big city sisters.
More than 50 midwives from remote and regional hospitals are undergoing placements at Brisbane's Mater Mothers' Hospitals to hone their clinical skills through the Strength with Immersion Model (SwIM) program.
Mater Mothers' provides Australia's largest maternity service, giving rural midwives the opportunity to rapidly gain experience in complex areas of their profession.
Midwife Melissa Botha (26), who is based at Stanthorpe Hospital, is now on her second two-week spell at Mater Mothers' Hospital.
"I grew up in Stanthorpe and always wanted to work in a rural hospital because I'm a country girl at heart," Ms Botha said.
"At Stanthorpe we have about 100 births a year, compared with up to 10,000 at Mater Mothers', so you can gain important experience here more quickly and then take that knowledge back home.
"I've spent time in the Special Care Nursery previously and now I'm focusing on water births and inductions.
"It's been so beneficial for me and, most importantly, it means I can help more women who want to stay close to their home and families in Stanthorpe when they are having a baby."
Mater employs 600 midwives across its Brisbane, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton hospitals – all of whom will be celebrating International Day of the Midwife on Monday 5 May.
The SwIM program partnership between Mater and Queensland Health is part of the Queensland Women and Girls Health Strategy 2032 and is run in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Nurse and Midwife Officer.
Mater midwife and SwIM Program Coordinator Penny Musumeci said the initiative enabled maternity staff to refresh and maintain their skills in a tertiary hospital, so that regional mothers and babies are healthy and cared for close to their home and community.
Ms Musumeci said midwives from Weipa to Warwick were benefiting from the program.
"We're focused on helping our colleagues provide even better care for rural and regional women," she added.
"Mater midwives believe that every woman and baby deserves the best possible care, no matter where they live."
