Empowering Midwives: Transforming Women’s Care in Redland
Earlier this year, Bayside Health Service launched an educational Perineal Care and Repair workshop and learning pathway, an initiative that’s reshaping maternity care in Redland. Backed by funding through the Redland Hospital Fund, this hands-on program empowers midwives with surgical skills traditionally performed by obstetricians, giving patients greater comfort, continuity and confidence during some of their most vulnerable moments.
A Game Changing Workshop
The workshop was supported by a comprehensive online module published by MSHLearn developed by Metro South Midwifery educators Mereen Chandy and Annie Hampson. Midwives were trained to diagnose and repair perineal trauma, a task that many have never felt equipped to perform before. Through guided sessions in perineal and labial repair, as well as an innovative simulation component, participants had the opportunity to not only practice these techniques but also understand the experience from the perspective of the women receiving care. Most midwives entered the workshop with no to low confidence in their skills and abilities. Pictured in the graph below you can see their confidence increased exponentially.
One midwife shared, “The simulation – setting everything up just like in clinical practice and having to communicate with ‘women’ made it feel so real”.
Another added, “Being able to put the skills into practice many times throughout the day made such a difference”.
Improving Patient Experience and Clinical Efficiency
This initiative has far-reaching benefits. For expecting mothers, it enhances comfort and continuity, if a women experiences a tear during childbirth, her trusted midwife can now provide the repaid rather than calling in an unfamiliar doctor. For staff, it builds confidence and clinical independence. As for the health system, it frees up obstetricians to attend high-acuity patients, optimising team resources during peak times.
From a midwife’s first touchpoint to post-delivery care, these strengthened skills mean that women in Redland can receive constant support from the people they’ve built trust with throughout their pregnancy journey.
How the Redland Hospital Fund Supported This Initiative
The Redland Hospital Fund was proud to facilitate the grant approval and provide funding for this vital training.
“Through generous community donations, we exist to support programs like this not only to advance staff development but directly enhance patient care,” Redland Hospital Fund Community Partnerships Manager Ellen Dann said.
“When grateful patients and their families choose to give to the Redland Hospital fund they enable us to empower the staff through programs such as this which help to improve health outcomes for others and a healthier and happier Redland community.”
