NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam and Shadow Health Minister Jillian Skinner today announced a package providing more birthing choice for expectant mothers and more resources assisting new mothers to ensure they get first-class care.

“I want to ensure babies born in NSW have the best possible start to life by providing a wide range of services and support programs to mothers - both before and after childbirth,” Mr Debnam said accompanied by Liberal Candidate for Penrith Tricia Hitchen, Liberal Candidate for Londonderry Bart Bassett and Liberal Candidate for Mulgoa Karen Chijoff.

“Jillian and I will provide pregnant women with a range of safe, supportive options when they are choosing where to give birth," he said.

“We also know that some new parents need longer term assistance after the birth of their babies, and we will provide support for them during these early stages."

The NSW Liberal/Nationals will commit $23 million over four years for:

• $6 million to re-open the Birthing Centre at Nepean Hospital as a Centre of Excellence in Midwifery, including the appointment of a Chair of Midwifery; 

• $8 million to ensure greater use of Early Childhood Centres by families who most need their services, including more flexible hours of operation, better information and home visiting programs, and;

• $9 million for the Red Cross to extend the Young Women’s Health Program, supporting teenage mothers who are homeless and need intensive support through two new facilities in Nowra and on the Central Coast.

Mrs Skinner said the centrepiece of our policy is the re-opening of the Birthing Centre at Nepean Hospital and the appointment of a Chair of Midwifery to assist with the establishment of a midwife led birthing unit within the Maternity Unit, and to ensure a collaborative approach with the existing obstetric unit. 

“The new midwife-led birthing unit will demonstrate the benefits of the long-term relationship between midwife and mother for antenatal to postnatal care," Mrs Skinner said.

“This is in line with our commitment to give mothers choices in how they deliver their babies.

"These initiatives are in addition to the NSW Liberal/Nationals' commitment to provide $4 million to support services such as Tresillian, Karitane and St John of God, to extend their free telephone and on-line assistance to parents, including mothers suffering post-natal depression.

"These support services provide extensive advice on issues ranging from settling babies to relationship issues, depression and anxiety.

"The work of these agencies significantly eases the pressure on thousands of families adjusting to their new additions each year.

"Labor closed the Nepean Birthing Unit in 2002, so the centre is just sitting there vacant.

"Morris Iemma promised to re-open the unit 'soon' yet nothing has happened. He simply can't be trusted to deliver and the local Labor members have been ineffective in lobbying him.

“These initiatives will give new mothers the confidence they need, which will shape the relationship they have with their child in the future.

"As part of our plan to get NSW back in front, the NSW Liberal/Nationals will provide extra support for new and expectant mothers," Mrs Skinner said.

Mrs Hitchen said as a mother of three, Peter and Jillian's announcement is a great victory for local women and local medical services.