PURPOSE:
I would like to share the practicalities of working within this model and how we have managed to overcome the various challenges that have arisen over the years particularly with recruitment and retention of midwives.

DISCUSSION:
The Orange Midwifery Group Practice (OMGP) has been running for 11 years. This low-risk, publicly funded model provides midwife-led continuity of care in pregnancy, birth, and up to six weeks after the birth. The model has changed over the years, with a focus on flexibility to ensure retention of midwives and effective collaboration within the multidisciplinary team that provides care to women. Working in a model that provides excellent outcomes and has the ability to change with the needs of the midwives working within the model improves recruitment and retention of staff. Midwifery led, continuity of care models in regional cities have unique challenges and require innovative solutions to ensure midwives wish to work, and remain working in the model. Surrounding towns and regional cities have not been able to sustain their Midwifery Group Practice models due to, in part, staff recruitment and retention. Orange Midwifery Group Practice has maintained services for over 11 years.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Evidence suggests that outcomes for midwifery-led continuity of care models are excellent and that midwives have a great deal of satisfaction working in these models (Collins et al., 2010; Hewitt et al., 2022; Hildingsson et al, 2021).

KEY MESSAGE:
Midwifery-led, continuity of care models in regional cities have unique challenges and require innovative solutions to ensure midwives wish to work, and remain working in the model. Poster session 1 (Group A)