Women and babies supported by forward-thinking research in western Sydney

Patient outcomes for mums and bubs were at the forefront of an exciting and innovative new Women’s and Newborn Group research seminar held recently at Westmead Hospital.

The seminar set out to improve skills and networking opportunities for clinicians and was a new collaboration between the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) and the Sydney Local Health District (SLHD).

Attendees heard from expert guest speakers in research, midwifery and neonatal care, with key topics including barriers and enablers for midwives in research, how to involve consumers and why mentoring is important in the research space.

Westmead Hospital’s deputy director of Nursing and Midwifery for Women’s and Newborn Health, Julie Swain, was one of the seminar’s presenters and explained the importance of managers supporting their nurses and midwives to take part in research.

It is well known that research hospitals have better patient outcomes, and better patient outcomes are what we all want,” said Julie.

Westmead Hospital clinical midwife consultant and seminar co-convenor, Sarah J Melov, said that neonatal nurses and midwives want to improve and provide the best care possible for women and their families as “it is at the heart of what we do”.

“The multi-LHD model was a great opportunity for all to build research confidence and opportunities for inter-district research and to meet other passionate researchers,” said Sarah.

“Networking and collaborating with different health districts through the assistance of Sydney Health Partners, will assist in the promoting of research that focuses on reducing variation in maternity care and striving for equity of outcomes for all patients.”