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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Midwifery-led open days improving access, equity and connection in maternity care through innovation, community engagement, and collaboration
1
SWSLHD, Women’s Health Clinical Stream South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
2
NSW Health, Nursing & Midwifery Office, Sydney, Australia
3
South Western Sydney Local Health District, Nursing & Midwifery Research Alliance, Sydney, Australia
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A252
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
The Maternity Service Open Days introduced an innovative, consumer-focused approach to increasing accessibility to health information and services — a groundbreaking first for NSW. Responsive to the rapid population growth and rich cultural diversity of South Western Sydney, this midwifery-led initiative was designed to improve access to sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and infant health care by fostering early engagement, health literacy and equity, particularly for women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal families, and those experiencing complex social and economic challenges.
DISCUSSION:
The Maternity Open Days were conducted at our five maternity hospitals over four months, providing an immersive experience in maternity care, featuring hospital tours, education, and interactive sessions with midwives, doctors, allied health and community organisations. There was no budget allocated for this, which meant a creative, community centred and ethical fundraising approach was employed. The Open Days were designed with consumer co-leadership, the initiative supports informed decision-making, reduces fear, and strengthens midwife-woman relationships. Midwives and midwifery students shared how the program "reinvigorated their purpose," enabling them to connect with families and to practice in a way that reflects the heart of midwifery—continuity, compassion, and community.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Evidence: More than 1,400 women informed program design through surveys and focus groups. Evaluation shows improved confidence in navigating care, and overwhelmingly positive feedback from consumers and clinicians alike. The model has been adopted across five hospitals and is now being shared all around Australia and adopted in other health districts, demonstrating low-cost scalability and high impact.
KEY MESSAGE:
Maternity Service Open Days are an example of sustainable midwifery innovation aligned with SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). They exemplify how midwives are central to transforming SRMNAH outcomes through equity-driven, culturally responsive, and community-embedded practices. Complications - other
The Maternity Service Open Days introduced an innovative, consumer-focused approach to increasing accessibility to health information and services — a groundbreaking first for NSW. Responsive to the rapid population growth and rich cultural diversity of South Western Sydney, this midwifery-led initiative was designed to improve access to sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and infant health care by fostering early engagement, health literacy and equity, particularly for women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal families, and those experiencing complex social and economic challenges.
DISCUSSION:
The Maternity Open Days were conducted at our five maternity hospitals over four months, providing an immersive experience in maternity care, featuring hospital tours, education, and interactive sessions with midwives, doctors, allied health and community organisations. There was no budget allocated for this, which meant a creative, community centred and ethical fundraising approach was employed. The Open Days were designed with consumer co-leadership, the initiative supports informed decision-making, reduces fear, and strengthens midwife-woman relationships. Midwives and midwifery students shared how the program "reinvigorated their purpose," enabling them to connect with families and to practice in a way that reflects the heart of midwifery—continuity, compassion, and community.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Evidence: More than 1,400 women informed program design through surveys and focus groups. Evaluation shows improved confidence in navigating care, and overwhelmingly positive feedback from consumers and clinicians alike. The model has been adopted across five hospitals and is now being shared all around Australia and adopted in other health districts, demonstrating low-cost scalability and high impact.
KEY MESSAGE:
Maternity Service Open Days are an example of sustainable midwifery innovation aligned with SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). They exemplify how midwives are central to transforming SRMNAH outcomes through equity-driven, culturally responsive, and community-embedded practices. Complications - other
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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