Evaluation Confirms Success of Gateway Health’s Endorsed Midwife Care Program
Gateway Health’s Endorsed Midwife Care Program (EMCP) is delivering exceptional outcomes for vulnerable pregnant people and families across the Albury-Wodonga region and reducing healthcare costs, a report has found.
A recently published evaluation undertaken in partnership with Gateway Health, Charles Sturt University Three Rivers Department of Rural Health (DRH) and Monash University assessed the safety, effectiveness, acceptability and economic value of Gateway Health’s Endorsed Midwife Care Program.
The Midwife-led program provides collaborative antenatal and postnatal services to all pregnant people, but in particular to vulnerable and disadvantaged people, including those with complex pregnancies who face the greatest risk of poor maternal and newborn outcomes.
The evaluation found that, EMCP participants consistently achieved birth outcomes that exceeded national averages, including:
- Higher rates of normal vaginal birth (61.9% vs 48.4%)
- Lower caesarean section rates (26.2% vs 40.6%)
- Lower preterm birth rates (4.8% vs 8.4%)
- Lower rates of low birth weight infants (4.8% vs 6.6%)
- Higher breastfeeding rates at hospital discharge (81% vs 74.1%)
EMCP Evaluation Fact Sheet VIEW HERE
Perhaps most significant, the EMCP was found to be less costly than mainstream maternity care. Economic analysis showed expected hospital costs were approximately $1,216 lower per birth.
The participant experience has proved to be overwhelmingly positive with women describing the continuity of care model as transformative, highlighting the benefits of having a trusted and consistent Midwife throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period.
Referring agencies have also unanimously agreed that the EMCP fills a critical gap in local maternity services, particularly for pregnant people who are socially disadvantaged, culturally and linguistically diverse, refugees, young mothers and those with complex pregnancies.
Gateway Health Endorsed Midwife and Nurse Practitioner Vanessa Page said the evaluation validates what staff and clients have long known: that continuity of Midwife care leads to better outcomes for pregnant people and their babies.
Gateway Health Endorsed Midwife and Nurse Practitioner Vanessa Page said:
“This evaluation has been a wonderful partnership with Three Rivers DRH, with results validating that continuity of Midwife care for all people, including those with risk, does result in safe and cost effective outcomes.”
“We are so proud of the program’s positive impact on pre-term birth, birth weight, caesarean section, and vaginal birth rates compared to the national average, all at a reduced cost.”
“In particular, we would like to acknowledge the clients and referrers who participated in the research. We are grateful for their time, heartwarming feedback and contribution.”
“Overall, our research demonstrates the social and economic return on investment in Midwife continuity of care for pregnant people.”
Gateway Health CEO Dr Trent Dean said the evaluation provided strong evidence of what can be achieved when care is designed around the needs of people who may otherwise struggle to access traditional maternity services.
Gateway Health CEO Trent Dean said:
“Some of the people supported through the EMCP face significant barriers to accessing consistent maternity care, yet this evaluation shows that when we provide continuity, build trusted relationships and bring care closer to people, the outcomes can be exceptional.”
“What is particularly important is that we are not only seeing better outcomes for mothers and babies, but we are achieving those outcomes at a lower expected cost to the health system. That is exactly the type of investment we should be making in community-based care.”
Gateway Health extends its heartfelt thanks to Hume Bank for its significant 12-month commitment to the Endorsed Midwife Care Program. The support came at a crucial time earlier this year when the program was at serious risk of closing and has played a vital role in ensuring the continuation of this important community service.
“The challenge now is ensuring programs like this have sustainable funding,” Dr Dean said.
“We should not have to wait until an effective service is at risk of closing before finding a way to keep it operating, particularly when the evidence shows that it is delivering better outcomes and better value.”
View Evaluation Fact Sheet HERE
About Three Rivers Department of Rural Health
Three Rivers Department of Rural Health aims to improve the recruitment and retention of nursing, midwifery, allied health and dentistry professionals in rural and remote Australia. It supports students in rural learning experiences, develops multidisciplinary resources, provides training for health professionals, and undertakes rural health research with regional communities. Three Rivers DRH is funded under the Australian Government’s Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program.
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Justin Jenvey
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