The latest stage of training to improve pregnancy outcomes for Aboriginal women, babies and their families is being rolled out with support from The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
Since 2018, The Hospital Research Foundation Group has funded the pioneering Healthy Newborn Project, run by Adelaide University to offer culturally responsive antenatal care and improve the training and delivery of ultrasound services in remote communities.
The latest co-designed research has explored how the use of point-of-care ultrasounds (portable ultrasounds) could positively encourage early pregnancy conversations and antenatal care for Aboriginal women.
Led by Professor Nayana Parange and Dr Sandy Maranna, the hands-on-training sessions trained Aboriginal Health Practitioners and health workers in using mobile ultrasound devices to determine early pregnancy and foetal heartbeat.
Used as a first step in building relationships and trust between caregiver and patient, the use of point of care ultrasounds is not intended to replace comprehensive obstetric ultrasounds or established antenatal care pathways.
Health practitioners and workers who undertook the training were impressed, with one saying: “This will benefit my role, our patients, and the wider community by keeping women engaged throughout their pregnancy journey.”
Thanks to support from the community, The Hospital Research Foundation Group has supported the Healthy Newborn Project since 2018, contributing $802,970 towards the project.
The ultrasounds were conducted by Aboriginal Health Practitioners and Aboriginal Health Workers and delivered in partnership with the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network and Aboriginal Primary Health Care Services at Muna Paiendi (Elizabeth) and Wonggangga Turtpandi (Port Adelaide).
