NURSE / MIDWIFERY

Winnunga's Nurse/Midwife Carolyn is responsible for the ante natal care of the client from their first contact up to and including birth. Very few of these are straight forward pregnancies. In almost every case, there are challenges and problems which need to be addressed such as anaemia, cultural and social wellbeing including substance misuse.

The problems seen in our patients are associated with oppression and socio-economical disadvantage, resulting in the poverty trap. As a result, clients have high and complex needs, and they experience major barriers to having these needs met by mainstream services. These and many other problems are seen, often in combination with one another.

Many of these clients require intensive support and care in a culturally appropriate and friendly environment. Personal and socio-economical problems, cultural differences, transport problems, and communication problems, mean that there is often a reluctance to access relevant mainstream services, including hospital-based services as well as support services such as Nursing Mothers or the post natal depression support group. This lack of access to services can of course result in complications for both mother and baby.

What we aim to provide is regular pre-natal care from an early stage, with appropriate follow up, and encompassing the usual range of service delivery including contraceptive and nutritional advice.

Carolyn also attends many labours at Canberra Hospital.

The Winnunga Nimmityjah AHS midwifery program is too far stretched to be able to do more than just the basic post delivery follow up, but the liaison work we do with patients and hospitals helps to facilitate better follow up by the mainstream midwifery home visit service. This is extremely important, as most of our patients tend to discharge from hospital early, as it is not a comfortable environment for them.

Immunisation

Winnunga Nimmityjah AHS also has a comprehensive child immunisation program, and our patients are encouraged to access this. This also allows us to follow up on our patients' progress with post-partum recovery, and to assist them with any needs in relation to caring for their infants.

It is vitally important for high risk clients to have access to Aboriginal specific, culturally appropriate midwifery services, as many simply will not access mainstream services without support. What we can provide at Winnunga Nimmityjah AHS is a quality service in an environment of understanding and sensitivity, without pressure and without racism. We hope that the need for this service continues to be recognised, and that we can continue to provide ante-natal care to our very needy client group in the future.