Advanced training supports regional families

Lifesaving training is helping midwives, nurses, obstetricians and specialists care for premature newborn babies at St John of God Geraldton Hospital.

6 Jul 2021

The Advanced Neonatal Resuscitation training provided onsite education for the maternity team, and other caregivers, who work together to support mums and babies at the hospital.

The training was provided in April in response to the incorporation of public obstetric services at the hospital which increased the likelihood of needing to care for very premature or unwell newborn babies awaiting air transport.

St John of God Subiaco Hospital Specialist Neonatologist Dr Jo Colvin and Clinical Midwife Felicity Anderson travelled to Geraldton to provide the training and upskill their regional colleagues.

St John of God Health Care Clinical Coordinator Maternity Services Zoe Islip said midwives and nurses, as well as obstetricians and other specialists, working in regional areas needed to be highly skilled.

“Caregivers working in regional areas like Geraldton are often caring for mothers, their babies and their families within a very small team which needs to be highly skilled,” she said.

“This training was a great opportunity to provide the knowledge and hands-on skills needed at once to all those involved in caring for premature babies and their mothers.”

St John of God Health Care Group Director of Nursing and Patient Experience Dani Meinema thanked Dr Colvin and Ms Anderson for leading the session.

“Our caregivers who work in small, regional hospitals need to be highly skilled and well trained so they can provide the appropriate care in a range of situations that they could encounter as members of smaller teams,” she said.

“Providing hands-on training like this, led by our experienced specialists and caregivers who work in metropolitan hospitals, is a great way we can share knowledge and information to support each other.”