Medical Forum
Postpartum healthcare at the centre of women's health inquiry
Best practice approaches to postpartum healthcare will form a key part of a newly established inquiry into women’s health.
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Medical Forum
A Senate Select Committee on Women’s Health has been announced with the aim of improving postpartum healthcare for mothers and their partners, including those who have experienced infant loss.
Fertility, barriers to accessing assisted reproductive technology, women’s pain and barriers to management, and experiences in seeking healthcare support will also be examined.
The RACGP has previously called for a Medicare Benefits Schedule funded GP-led postpartum care plan. It says the first 12 months after birth should a national health priority.
RACGP Acting Vice President Dr Cath Hester said recognising the post-partum period as a critical preventive health priority was an important step towards addressing longstanding gaps in care.
“The first year after birth is one of the most important periods in the lives of both mother and baby, yet too many families struggle to access the coordinated support they need,” she said.
“We welcome efforts to strengthen post-partum care and improve support for breastfeeding, maternal mental health and infant health. Investing in this period will improve health outcomes, reduce avoidable hospital presentations and help ensure families get the right care at the right time.
“A structured, GP-led approach would help ensure no family falls through the cracks and that all Australians can access high-quality post-partum care regardless of where they live or their capacity to pay.”
The College has also called for the establishment of a National Breastfeeding Advisory Council and the digitisation of the Pregnancy Health Record and Baby Book across all states and territories.
Dr Kavita Thanakrishnan, Chair of the RACGP Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Specific Interests Group, said too many women experience a cliff edge in support once they return home with a new baby.
“The first three months alone involve the complex, evolving medical needs of two human beings, yet our system too often treats this as an afterthought. We can and must do better,” she said.
“We know that early intervention and continuity of care can improve outcomes for mothers and babies, reduce avoidable hospital presentations and support mothers and parents to meet their own goals.”
The Select Committee was established following a motion served by Senator Marielle Smith.
Senator Smith said she was determined to use her role in the Senate to shine a spotlight on women’s health issues.
“Too many women are suffering in the postpartum period. Too many are sitting in a darkness that can feel all consuming. We cannot leave them to face this alone.
“I am determined to use my role in the Senate to continue driving change in women's health and am firmly of the belief that this is the next frontier that we must tackle with urgency.”