St John of God Health Care cares for more new mums in their home than ever before

30 May 2018

31 May 2018

Last year we cared for more than 2,000 new mums in their homes with our home nursing division St John of God Health Choices completing more than 3,000 home visits.

This is an increase from the previous high in 2016 when we cared for more than 1,400 mums during 2,000 home visits.

St John of God Health Choices WA General Manager Tom McConnell said the increase showed that new mums’ were seeking more access to ongoing care with almost 1,000 home visits already completed this year.

“Being a new mum can be really hard, particularly in the days and weeks after you leave hospital,” he said.

“Mums are juggling the demands of a new baby and if your baby isn’t sleeping or feeding well then it can be really stressful.

“Our home visiting midwives and lactation consultants are able to provide support and advice on their baby’s wellbeing and assist with breastfeeding and lactation as well as performing general baby health checks.”

Mum of three Christina McCann was visited by St John of God Health Choices Lactation Consultant Kate McDougall for her two youngest children after giving birth.

“I experienced really bad mastitis with my son Adam (now two and a half) and it was Kate who came and visited me the day after I was discharged from hospital and saw how sick I was and made sure I got to a doctor and received the care I needed,” she said.

“Then with my now six-month-old Ayleea, we had a plan in place for Kate to come and see me as soon as possible and continuing seeing me at home to help me and ensure I didn’t have the same experience.

“I don’t have any family here so without St John of God Health Choices and Kate, I don’t know what else I would have done.”

Mr McConnell said the postnatal service was designed to meet the ongoing needs of new mums and their families in their home environment where they feel most comfortable.

“Mums who have given birth at one of our hospitals are able to access the service but it is also open to other mums who have not given birth at our hospitals,” he said.