Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, Waminda South Coast, My Midwives Pty Ltd and the Molly Centre worked together to analyse the barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Birthing on Country services in NSW and QLD. Evidence based recommendations have been developed to navigate the path forward and enable action.
Problem or issue
Despite being supported by government policy since 2012, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services experience barriers to establishing Birthing on Country services.
What is already known
There is growing evidence that Birthing on Country services are acceptable, effective, and cost-saving models for women having First Nations babies.
What this paper adds
Synthesis of the policy, economic, and legal barriers to Birthing on Country services in two jurisdictions. Actionable recommendations to address barriers and enable scale-up of Birthing on Country services owned and governed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services.
