More Support for Indigenous Mums and Bubs
Indigenous babies will have a better chance of being born healthy and staying healthy following the announcement of Australian Government funding of $9.1 million over three years for ten new mothers and babies services.
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Joint Release
Prime Minister
Minister for Indigenous Affairs
Minister for Health
Minister for Indigenous Health
11 February 2010Indigenous babies will have a better chance of being born healthy and staying healthy following an announcement today of Australian Government funding of $9.1 million over three years for ten new mothers and babies services.
The ten new services are in addition to the 43 already funded under the New Directions program which give Indigenous babies and their mothers better access to:
- Pre and post pregnancy care
- Standard information about baby care
- Practical advice and assistance with breastfeeding, nutrition and parenting
- Monitoring of developmental milestones, immunisation status and infections
- Health checks and referrals for treatment for Indigenous children before starting school.
The ten new services will be available in areas of need, including four new sites in the Northern Territory, two each in South Australia and Western Australia and one each in Tasmania and Queensland.
The new service providers are:
- Laynhapuy Homelands Association Incorporation, Northern Territory
- Pintubi Homelands Health Service, Northern Territory
- Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Northern Territory
- Western Arrente Health Aboriginal Corporation, Northern Territory
- Country Health South Australia
- Tullawon Health Service, South Australia
- Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
- Ngunytju Tjitji Pirni Aboriginal Corporation, Western Australia
- Wirraka Maya Health Service, Western Australia
- Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan, Queensland
“In total, the Commonwealth has committed $90.3 million for the New Directions Mothers and Babies Services program, with an additional $75 million contribution from states and territories,” Ms Roxon said.
“This program gives Indigenous children a great start to life through ongoing home visits to ensure Indigenous children are healthy, happy and ready to learn.”
Ms Macklin said expanding services supporting pregnant women and new mothers in Indigenous communities was critical to giving Indigenous children the best start in life.
“Other clinics already offering these services, which include care during pregnancy, advice on nutrition and health checks for children, have seen improvements in the health of women and their babies. This includes fewer premature and low birth weight babies,” Ms Macklin said.
The New Directions mother and baby services provide increased access to pre pregnancy care, improving birth weights of Indigenous babies and continuing to provide support in the child’s early years to give them the best possible start to life.
Mr Snowdon said this was part of a broad commitment by the Rudd Government to Close the Gap in Indigenous health outcomes.
“Across the Health and Ageing portfolio, funding of almost $1 billion has been allocated in the 2009-10 Budget for health programs specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
“These recent investments equate to a 57 per cent increase in Indigenous health funding across the Portfolio since the 2007 08 Budget,” Mr Snowdon said.
A list of the 43 New Directions: Mothers and Babies Services already funded through this initiative is attached below.
Press Office (02) 6277 7744
Minister Roxon’s Office 02 6277 7220
Minister Macklin’s Office – 0430 166 633
Minister Snowdon’s Office – 0400 045 999
New Directions: Mothers and Babies Services around Australia
Services approved for funding
Organisation Name
Australian Capital Territory
Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health ServiceNew South Wales
Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney CooperativeYerin Aboriginal Health Service
Biripi Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre
Hunter New England Area Health Service
Orange Aboriginal Health Service
South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service
Sydney South West Area Health Service
Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation
Hunter New England Area Health Service
Riverina Medical & Dental Aboriginal Corporation
Royal Hospital for Women
Northern Territory
Danila Dilba Health ServicesCentral Australian Aboriginal Congress
Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation
Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation - Nhulunbuy Clinic
Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation - Ngalkanbuy Clinic
Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service
Willowra Yuendumu Nyirripi (WYN) - Central Australian Aboriginal Congress
Laynhapuy Homelands Assoc Inc (*new)
Pintubi Homelands Health Service (*new)
Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (*new)
Western Arrente Health Aboriginal Corporation (*new)
Queensland
Carbal Medical CentreAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Mackay
Apunipima Cape York Health Council Aboriginal Corporation
Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Aboriginal Corporation
Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre
North and West Queensland Primary Health Care Assn (including RFDS)
Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health
Inala Indigenous Health Service
Mamu Health Service
Mookai Rosie Bi Bayan (*new)
South Australia
Country Health SA (*new)Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service
Tullawon Health Service (*new)
Country Health SA
Tasmania
Department of Health and Human ServicesTasmanian Aboriginal Centre (*new)
Victoria
Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operativeMercy Public Hospital
Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative
Western Australia
Marwarnkarra Health Service Aboriginal CorporationBega Garnbirringu Health Service
Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service
Western Australian Country Health Service - Carnarvon Hospital
Western Australian Country Health Service - Geraldton
Yura Yungi Medical Service
Wirraka Maya Health Service (*new)
Ngunytju Tjitji Aboriginal Corporation (*new)
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