Midwives across the ACT were acknowledged for their compassion, commitment, and professionalism last week on International Day of the Midwife (5 May).
Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Day led the way for a week of celebrations for the Territory’s midwives and nurses which included the ACT Nurses and Midwives 2021 Excellence Awards and concluded with International Nurses Day on 12 May.
“Midwives make an invaluable contribution to our health system, providing care to thousands of expectant and birth parents every year,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“Between 5,000 and 6,000 babies are born in the ACT each year, with around 30 per cent involving midwifery continuity of care in the public health system, one of the highest proportions in Australia,” she said.
“The national and international evidence shows that midwifery-led continuity of care results in great outcomes for newborn babies and their mothers, while reducing costs to health services.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said this year’s theme, Follow the Data: Invest in Midwives, emphasised the importance of investment in quality midwifery to improve maternal and child health care.
The Minister congratulated the winners of the 2021 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards which celebrated and recognised the work nurses and midwives did every day to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the Canberra community.
“I congratulate all the winners and nominees of these prestigious awards and thank them for their outstanding work and professionalism,” she said.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the winners were Kirsty Cummin, awarded Nurse of the Year 2021; Jessica Boutzos (pictured), Midwife of the Year 2021; and Ward 11B, Aged Care, Canberra Health Services, awarded Team of the Year 2021.
Further information on Award winners can be accessed at this PS News link.
