Queensland: The government of Queensland has passed legislation to improve safety in public hospitals for expectant mothers and babies and boost access to termination of pregnancy services.
The Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No.2) of 2023 will enable Queensland to adopt a midwife-to-patient ratio system, similar to the current nurse-to-patient ratios. This amendment will count newborns as separate patients, ensuring that they receive the attention they need.
The implementation of midwife-to-patient ratios will be done in stages, starting in 2024. Public maternity wards that offer high-level services and provide complex care and referral services will have a midwife-to-patient ratio of one midwife to six patients.
Around 50 percent of births in Queensland occur at Logan, Southern Coast University, Cairns, Townsville University, Gold Coast University, and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospitals. The implementation of these ratios will be expanded through consultation with stakeholders, in addition to complementing other initiatives like the Midwife Group Practice program.
As part of the amendment, stillborn babies will now be included in the ratios. This inclusion recognizes the invaluable care provided by midwives to grieving families after a stillbirth. Midwives play a crucial role in helping families grieve their loss by assisting with activities like bathing and dressing the child.
In Queensland, a person who is in the early stages of pregnancy is currently required to obtain a prescription for the medical termination of pregnancy drug, MS-2 Step, from a doctor. This process can sometimes lead to unequal access to safe early medical termination of pregnancy services due to the finite availability of medical practitioners.
The new Bill proposed in Queensland will allow nurse practitioners, endorsed midwives, and qualified registered nurses and midwives to perform medical terminations in the early stages of pregnancy. To support improved access and equity for women and pregnant individuals, health practitioners who wish to prescribe or supply MS-2 Step to a pregnant woman up to 63 days gestation will be provided with specialized training. This move aims to ensure that all pregnant individuals across Queensland have better access to the medical care they need.
Steven Miles, the Premier of Queensland, stated that, “We have always said we would listen to Queenslanders and this law reform paves the way for that. Having a baby is the most exciting time and we don’t want that to be clouded with any uncertainty. We know introducing one-to-six ratios for midwives and their patients will enhance safety in our maternity wards.”
“Additionally, today’s legislation will help more people in rural and regional Queensland have access to termination of pregnancy medication. Every Queenslander deserves good, quality healthcare close to home and we are a Government that is committed to that,” Miles added.
As per the statement given by Shannon Fentiman, the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service, and the Minister for Women, the recent reforms will play a vital role in enhancing the availability of pregnancy termination services, and promote patient care and safety in maternity wards. Currently, women in Queensland face several obstacles in accessing safe and timely pregnancy termination services, especially in rural and remote regions. The new laws will significantly improve their access to such services, and provide them with more options for their reproductive health.
“We know that our existing nurse-to-patient ratios are effective and I’m so proud we will be able to introduce a one-to-six ratio for midwives and their patients. This is something our hardworking and dedicated midwives have been calling for and their advocacy has resulted in a significant step forward for women’s health and wellbeing. The Miles Government will continue to make change to ensure the health and safety of Queensland women and girls, no matter where they live,” Fentiman said.
Liz Wilkes, Chief Midwife Officer, commented that, “Midwives have been campaigning for ratios and asking for these changes for quite some time. It’s fantastic this initiative has been realised, as our midwives work with increasingly complex women with varying care requirements. Ensuring levels of staffing is crucial. Each day, our Queensland midwives do an extraordinary job caring for mums and babies, and this important reform will ensure greater focus is able to be provided to each mother and baby.”
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