Today is the International Day of the Midwife and the Central Australia Health Service (CAHS) celebrates our midwives and the care they provide for women across the Central Australia region.

The theme this year is ‘The World Needs Midwives Today More Than Ever’, a fact that resonates throughout the Northern Territory.

CAHS midwives are located at either the Alice Springs Hospital or the Tennant Creek Hospital, or work for Primary Health Care so they can help women in remote communities.

“Midwives in remote areas play an invaluable role ensuring that woman have a safe, healthy pregnancy from preconception to birth and beyond,” said Brycen Brook, Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Primary Health Care, CAHS.

“Women in remote areas are isolated from mainstream health services and midwives support these women throughout their pregnancy journey.

“Urban services can be confusing as well as frightening and complex for remote women, however midwives are pivotal in assisting these women to navigate the health system,” said Mr. Brook.

Michele Smith, the Director of Nursing at the Tennant Creek Hospital, highlights that the word midwife means ‘with woman’ and gives a picture of partnership.

“The care that the Barkly Midwives give to our women is about working in partnership with them and about making mothers that are strong, competent and capable, who also trust themselves and know their inner strength,” Ms. Smith said. 

The Acting Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services at the Alice Springs Hospital, Melissa Brown, believes the importance of good midwifery care can never be underestimated.

“I would like to acknowledge our midwives’ commitment on a daily basis to ensuring strong babies will have the right start in life.

“We are extremely proud of the services our midwives provide to the Central Australian community,” Ms. Brown said.

On this important day the Department of Health will name the nominees and finalists in the Northern Territory’s 2016 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, and the winners will be announced at a gala event in Darwin on Saturday 7 May 2016.

The Central Australia Health Service is governed by a Statutory Board and is responsible for the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek Hospitals.  It has a primary role in health service delivery in the region, including primary health care, mental health, oral health, cancer screening services and alcohol and other drug services.

Media opportunity: The announcement of the nominees and finalists in the 2016 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards will start at 5:30pm at the Double Tree by Hilton on Barrett Drive, Alice Springs.

Media Contact: Gail Liston 8951 5111 or 0476 839 383