GRIFFITH Base Hospital’s new Aboriginal student midwife Natalie Woods says she has a passion for bridging the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health care.
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“I have always been drawn to working in Aboriginal health and Aboriginal maternity health is a really big issue,” Ms Woods said. “There is really room to make a positive impact for change going forward.”
Midwifery unit manager at Griffith Base Hospital Angela Cregan says the hospital’s program for Indigenous mothers was already having a positive impact, but could only benefit from someone with Ms Woods' passion. “Mothers are more likely to engage with continuity of care as a result of this program and we hope that will have a ‘knock on’ effect through the Indigenous community,” she said.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Leslie Williams said providing support to Aboriginal student midwives would create a culturally competent and safe midwifery workforce, which in turn would help drive improvements in the health and well being of mothers and babies.