Less than a week after revealing the return of services to regional areas, Health Minister Lawrence Springborg will today announce 50 new midwives for rural and regional areas, ensuring women across the State have more access to specialised services. 
“Fifty graduate nurses will be offered a two year program which will involve working in private midwifery practices to get the necessary experience for a degree in midwifery,” Mr Springborg said.
Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett welcomed the news for his rural electorate.
“It leads the way in developing a midwifery workforce for rural and remote areas and will increase the choices of Queensland women and the availability of private midwives.”
“This is part of our ongoing commitment to nurses and to rural and regional Queensland and we intend to build on this into the future,” Mr Bennett said.
105 new rural graduate nursing positions were announced last month, and Mr Springborg has also unveiled a new Rural Telehealth Service as part of the Revitalisation of regional, rural and remote services package, worth more than $82 million over four years.
The package also includes $51.9 million for enhanced ambulatory and primary health care models, and outreach services for specialist consultations and procedures.
Mr Bennett said the scheme was a dream position for successful graduate nurses, who will be paid to specialise in, study and grow maternity services.
“The end result will be graduates enjoying proper mentoring by rural health service practitioners, which will result in a midwifery workforce ready for community based rural and remote employment.
“This is all part of the Government’s commitment to increasing women’s choices and access to private midwifery care models.”