The Andrews Government budget demonstrates it recognises Victoria’s highly skilled maternal and child health nurses have an important role in its plan to end family violence.
This year’s $81.1 million package to expand Victoria’s maternal and child health nursing service comes on top of an historic investment in the service in last year’s budget bringing the total to $214.1 million.
The new funding specifically targets vulnerable, disadvantaged and at risk families and provides extra support during the difficult first days after the birth of a baby and the early months and years.
This year’s funding will:
- deliver the enhanced maternal and child health service to around 37,000 vulnerable families in metropolitan and regional communities
improve access to the enhanced maternal and child health service from one to three years - provide additional visits to families at risk of violence
- provide additional training for maternal and child health nurses to help them support families experiencing violence or dealing with trauma
- increase the capacity of the maternal and child health nursing phone line
- provide scholarships for the additional nurses required to deliver the expanded service.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Vic Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said: “We’re really pleased the Andrews Government has listened to maternal and child health nurses about where the greatest need is and how they can make the biggest difference to people’s lives.
“These highly-qualified nurses identify and refer vulnerable families where there may be a risk of family violence situation or they could be exposed to distress caused by financial, disability, mental health or new migrant issues.
“Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos has demonstrated she understands that expanding the enhanced maternal and child health nursing service is a serious, practical and effective part of a whole of community response to family violence prevention.”
