Summary
Gladstone Hospital is thrilled to be enhancing community connections by delivering two important services in a new, family-friendly location.
The First Steps program, delivered by Child Health nurses for new bubs and their families, and the Kookaburra Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), have moved into the Nutchee Building at the Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct.
The exciting initiative to move the services off the hospital campus and into a friendly, community setting has been made possible thanks to a collaboration between Central Queensland Health, Gladstone Regional Council, which owns the facility, and GAPDL Communities for Children, which promotes a huge range of services to empower children and families in the Gladstone region.
Gladstone and Banana General Manager Anita Pierantozzi said the Philip Street Precinct was the perfect location to deliver care to expectant mums and families of new bubs.
“Our dedicated MGP midwives and child health nurses are very happy to be caring for families in such a calming, welcoming space.
“But even more importantly, this location delivers extra benefits by linking with other community programs that will support and guide local families for many years.”
Child Health Nurse Lani Clements welcomed a new cohort of First Steps parents last week, providing a five-week program covering topics such as life as a new parent, feeding, sleep and your baby, reading to your baby, safety and development.
“It is such a privilege to play a role in what is such a special time for families,” Lani said.
“Caring for a new bub can be amazing, but also stressful. My role is to provide support, answer questions and show parents where they can access evidence-based information to help them make the best decisions for their baby and their family.
“What gives me joy is seeing First Steps participants arrive with their bub and form connections with other parents.
“There is nothing better than being able to talk with others who are experiencing the same phase of life, sharing the ups and downs.”
First-time mum Chantal Guse gave birth to 10-week-old Daisy at Gladstone Hospital and learnt about First Steps from her Child Health nurse, who visited her home for postnatal visits at two and four weeks.
“I am lucky to have family here in Gladstone, but many of my friends have grown kids, so it is great to be able to chat to other mums going through the same thing,” Chantal said.
“I love it here (Philip Street), it’s a great facility and I’m excited to find out about other playgroups and services.”
Amee Ferguson said she was fortunate to attend some of her MGP appointments at the Philip Street Precinct before giving birth to her second bub Mya at Gladstone Hospital six weeks ago.
“It was so nice to come here for MGP visits, with easy parking and such a lovely relaxed room to see my midwife.”
Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) is a model of care where a woman receives continuity of care from a primary midwife and their team throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum.