Maitland Hospital, on International Day of the Midwife, has officially launched its new public home birthing pilot program, a key milestone in strengthening maternity services for women and families across the Maitland and Hunter Valley region.
This global day recognises the essential role midwives play in delivering personalised, high-quality care to women and their families, and highlights the importance of continued investment in midwifery services.
The Maitland Hospital public home birthing service operates as part of the Maitland Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), offering planned home birth for eligible women.
Around 50 people attended the launch event, including midwives from the Maitland MGP, pregnant women currently in the MGP service, and community advocates.
The celebration provided the opportunity to learn more about the new home birthing pilot program and meet the midwives delivering the service.
The public home birthing service pilot is embedded within the existing Maitland MGP model. The program was developed in close collaboration with the Hunter New England Local Health District's Women's Health and Maternity (WHAM) Network, and shaped by extensive community consultation, ensuring the service is safe, sustainable and meets the needs of the local community.
So far, 10 women have registered to participate in the Maitland public home birthing service pilot program, which is expected to support up to 60 women per year.
The pilot program is part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to increasing access to midwifery continuity of care models across the state, which was supported by a $44.8 million investment into maternity care in the 2025-26 NSW Budget which includes funding for an additional 53 FTE midwives in regional NSW.
To learn more visit the Hunter New England Local Health District website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
"Launching Maitland Hospital's home birth pilot program on International Day of the Midwife, recognises the extraordinary contribution midwives make to the health and wellbeing of women and babies in NSW and beyond.
"This program will provide women in Maitland and the Hunter Valley region with more choice about where and how they give birth, while ensuring they continue to feel safe, respected and supported during pregnancy and birth.
"The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver on its commitment of expanding access to midwifery continuity of care models that empower families and deliver outstanding outcomes for women and their babies."
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley
"Every family in the Hunter deserves to start their journey with the right support around them. This pilot is about building a maternity service that reflects what local women are actually asking for.
"We've got incredible midwives and healthcare workers here in Maitland and this is about backing their expertise so they can keep delivering deeply personal, high-quality care to the community they know so well.
"For a region that's growing as fast as the Hunter, this is exactly the kind of practical investment we need - giving mums-to-be more confidence, keeping care local and making sure our health services grow with the community."
Quotes attributable to Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison:
"The role of a midwife in a woman's birth journey is profound. They provide the reassurance, guidance and support at a time that can be equally exciting and overwhelming.
"On International Day of the Midwife, we recognise and thank those very midwives who stand beside women and families through every step of their journey.
"This new public home birth program will expand access to greater choice for women across Maitland and the Hunter, while strengthening continuity of midwifery care. It's about giving women more control over their birth experience, backing families, and ensuring every mother and baby receives safe, respectful and personalised care when it matters most."
Quotes attributable to Hunter New England Local Health District Executive Director Nursing & Midwifery, Elizabeth Grist OAM:
"It is an honour to officially launch this pilot on International Day of the Midwife, which recognises the dedication and expertise of midwives around the world.
"For many women, home is where they feel most comfortable giving birth. This model ensures they can do so safely with the support of our highly skilled midwives and a strong public health framework."
Quotes attributable to Maitland Hospital Midwife Manager, Ashley Booth:
"Our team of midwives are committed to providing safe, compassionate and evidence‑based care for women and their families. We're looking forward to welcoming the first babies born at home through this service in the coming months."
Quotes attributable to Friends of Maitland Homebirth advocate, Keira Spencer:
"It has been a privilege to contribute to the Maitland Home Birthing Steering Committee and to see this model developed in genuine partnership with women, midwives and the local community."
