Australian maternity service provision: a comparative analysis of state and territory maternity care frameworks
Kath Brundell
A B * , Vidanka Vasilevski A C , Tanya Farrell D E and Linda Sweet A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.
B School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, Vic., Australia.
C Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, Western Health Partnership, Vic., Australia.
D School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Vic., Australia.
E Safer Care Victoria, Department of Health, Victorian Government, Vic., Australia.
* Correspondence to: kewing@deakin.edu.au
Australian Health Review 46(5) 559-566 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH22059
Submitted: 15 March 2022 Accepted: 11 July 2022 Published: 4 August 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.
Abstract
Objective Healthcare delivery in Australia is managed at state and territory levels. This paper aims to compare the content and structure of publicly accessible Australian maternity service state and territory frameworks which guide the delivery of maternity care.
Methods A scoping review was conducted to identify publicly accessible Australian state and territory maternity service frameworks. A comparative content analysis was undertaken.
Results Six of the potential eight states and territories had locatable frameworks. Differences in both structure and content were found between frameworks. Variation exists between standalone maternity service frameworks and comprehensive clinical frameworks. Several jurisdictions align policy and ministerial directives in their frameworks outlining service delivery and guidance relating to maternal and/or neonatal transfer. Language referring to the assessment of maternity services and service risk varied.
Conclusion Consistency in structure, language, and a clear communication strategy embedded into each maternity service framework may improve the functioning and consistency of Australian maternity services at each level of the healthcare system.
Keywords: Australian, governance, maternity framework, maternity policy, maternity services, operational policy.
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