❓ Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson questions the Minister for Health regarding the Moort Boodjari Mia Aboriginal maternity service and the cessation of its funding, highlighting its successes in improving Aboriginal maternal and child health outcomes. The Minister acknowledges the program's successes but clarifies the funding source and phased closure.
AnsweredQoN 443Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MOORT BOODJARI MIA MATERNITY SERVICE
443. Hon AMBER-JADE SANDERSON to the
minister representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Aboriginal maternity
service Moort Boodjari Mia.
(1) Is the minister aware that this
service has —
(a) had success
in improving the birth weights of Aboriginal babies from mums who have gone
through their program;
(b) delivered dramatic improvements
in attendance rates for prenatal checks; and
(c) had success
in reducing rates of smoking amongst pregnant Aboriginal women?
(2) Given that
the service's funding is due to cease on 30 June 2016, will the
government consider reversing its decision to cut funding to this award-winning
program?
443. Hon AMBER-JADE SANDERSON to the
minister representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Aboriginal maternity
service Moort Boodjari Mia.
(1) Is the minister aware that this
service has —
(a) had success
in improving the birth weights of Aboriginal babies from mums who have gone
through their program;
(b) delivered dramatic improvements
in attendance rates for prenatal checks; and
(c) had success
in reducing rates of smoking amongst pregnant Aboriginal women?
(2) Given that
the service's funding is due to cease on 30 June 2016, will the
government consider reversing its decision to cut funding to this award-winning
program?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of this question.
(1) (a) Yes.
(b) Yes. The
improvement is that each mother has been attending at an average of four
antenatal visits.
(c) Yes.
(2) The Moort
Boodjari Mia program was established and funded by the commonwealth through the
National Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Early Childhood Development
initiative that commenced in 2010. Funding from the commonwealth ceased in June
2015. In order to support the needs of clients during their pregnancies, the
Moort Boodjari Mia program was extended to 30 June 2016 to allow a phased
closure of the program. Post–30 June 2016, existing maternity services
will be able to accommodate these clients. All WA Health services strive to
provide culturally secure services, inclusive of maternity services.
of this question.
(1) (a) Yes.
(b) Yes. The
improvement is that each mother has been attending at an average of four
antenatal visits.
(c) Yes.
(2) The Moort
Boodjari Mia program was established and funded by the commonwealth through the
National Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Early Childhood Development
initiative that commenced in 2010. Funding from the commonwealth ceased in June
2015. In order to support the needs of clients during their pregnancies, the
Moort Boodjari Mia program was extended to 30 June 2016 to allow a phased
closure of the program. Post–30 June 2016, existing maternity services
will be able to accommodate these clients. All WA Health services strive to
provide culturally secure services, inclusive of maternity services.
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