MDHS is introducing a Midwifery Group Practice - Case load Model of Care to provide safe and sustainable maternity services with better outcomes for women and their babies at all stages of care.

Under the new model, a primary midwife will provide care for a women from pregnancy right through to the post-natal period.

More news: All 766 of Victoria's daily coronavirus cases were locally acquired

"This is the great news for women and families living in the Central Goldfields and Pyrenees Shire," MDHS executive officer Nickola Allan said.

"Under the midwifery group practice model, every woman booked for pregnancy care at MDHS will be allocated a primary midwife.

"The midwife will provide care for her during pregnancy, will be on call for her labour and birth, and will coordinate and provide care in the hospital and community after her baby is born."

The model provides opportunities for more local women to have their pregnancy care with the service and to birth locally when clinically appropriate, with referral to higher level health service partners in Bendigo or Ballarat when needed.

"This model of care is particularly important for rural families and vulnerable groups," said Mrs Allan.

Other stories:

"Our region has a higher level of disadvantage, a higher than average Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, and higher rates of risk factors such as smoking and obesity which can impact on pregnancy and the health of the baby.

"The new Maryborough model provides a cultural and clinically safe model of care with clear patient safety standards, and is more sustainable than our current roster- based system," she said.

The model is expected to be introduced by the end of the year, following a recruitment drive to support the midwifery group practice and once a formal industrial process is completed.

Australian College of Midwives principal midwifery officer Kellie Wilton said the approach was supported by the organisation.

Other news: Councillors say it is time Chewton healed from statue arts spat

"Continuity of midwifery care is the gold standard of maternity care in Australia, and the Australian College of Midwives believes that every woman in Australia should have access to the maternity care of her choice," she said.

"Models, like the one proposed in Maryborough, ensure that rural pregnant women are no longer disadvantaged and birthing women are now able to access the support and care they need."

To find out more about the midwife career opportunities available at Maryborough District Health Service, visit the careers page at www.mdhs.vic.gov.au

Applications for a range of midwife roles close on September 26.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: