Putting Aboriginal mothers at the heart of care
The Victorian Government has announced a $15.8 million boost to expand Koori Maternity Services.
The funding will support 10 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) right across Victoria.
It includes services in Bendigo, Ballarat, Melbourne, Lakes Entrance and Albury Wodonga.
Aboriginal mothers and their babies deserve the same health outcomes as any other mother and child in Victoria.
“We must close health gaps – this means ensuring we have a health system that works for every Victorian,” Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said.
“These services are about culturally safe care, connection and community for Aboriginal mothers and their babies.”
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas.
The goal of the services is to ensure culturally safe and high-quality pregnancy care, with the following outcomes:
- More Aboriginal women access antenatal care earlier in their pregnancy
- Fewer Aboriginal women smoke during pregnancy
- Fewer Aboriginal babies are born early
- Fewer Aboriginal babies die during pregnancy or soon after birth.
- Care delivered by our ACCHOs is grounded in culture, connection and kinship
It is also delivered by clinicians who understand their community, their needs and their experiences.
For more information, please visit health.vic.gov.au/patient-care/aboriginal-maternity-services.
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation CEO Dr Jill Gallagher said culturally safe care was the foundation of trust, dignity and healing.
“VACCHO welcomes this vital funding to support our ACCHOs, as they help set up our Boorais for the strongest start to life,” she said.
The funded ACCHOs include:
- Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Services
- Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative
- Bendigo and District Co-operative Ltd
- First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing
- Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative
- Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association
- Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc
- Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation
- Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
- Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Limited
