Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has called for a Parliamentary inquiry into rural and regional maternity services.
Mr Moylan put forward a Notice of Motion in NSW Parliament on Wednesday requesting the NSW Government consider bundled funding for maternity care, implement an advisory group on rural health and commission a parliamentary inquiry into maternity services in regional NSW.
“Country mums, particularly mums in the Northern Tablelands, deserve to give birth in their hometowns,” he said.
“Since the 1990s, more than 50 per cent of maternity and children’s health services have closed across rural and regional NSW.
“This has led to rise in born before arrival (BBA) births where women give birth on the way to healthcare facilities, often without trained staff or necessary medical equipment.
“It also forces women to relocate to urban centres for childbirth, this isn’t good enough as it causes significant financial and emotional stress.
“Urgent intervention is needed, including restoring maternity services, expanding midwifery care, and providing support for rural families.
“The NSW Government must act to improve maternity care in regional and remote areas.”
Mr Moylan has also met with rural maternal health advocate Jen Laurie who has put forward a Parliamentary ePetition to address the decline in maternity services in rural and regional NSW.
The ePetition needs 20,000 signatures to be debated in Parliament.
You can sign the ePetition here.
MEDIA: Electorate Office 6772 5552
Photo caption: Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan put forward a Notice of Motion in NSW Parliament for a Parliamentary inquiry into rural and regional maternity services.