Maitland Hospital has officially launched its new public home birthing pilot program, on International Day of the Midwife, a key milestone in strengthening maternity services for women and families across the region.
International Day of the Midwife recognises the essential role midwives play in delivering personalised, high-quality care to women and their families, and highlights the importance of continued investment in midwifery services.
The Maitland Hospital public home birthing service operates as part of the Maitland Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), offering planned home birth for eligible women.
“Launching Maitland Hospital’s home birth pilot program on International Day of the Midwife, recognises the extraordinary contribution midwives make to the health and wellbeing of women and babies in NSW and beyond,” said Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park.
“This program will provide women in Maitland and the Hunter Valley region with more choice about where and how they give birth, while ensuring they continue to feel safe, respected and supported during pregnancy and birth.”
Around 50 people attended the launch event, including midwives from the Maitland MGP, pregnant women currently in the MGP service, and community advocates.
The celebration provided the opportunity to learn more about the new home birthing pilot program and meet the midwives delivering the service.
“It is an honour to officially launch this pilot on International Day of the Midwife, which recognises the dedication and expertise of midwives around the world,” said Hunter New England Local Health District Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery, Elizabeth Grist OAM.
“For many women, home is where they feel most comfortable giving birth. This model ensures they can do so safely with the support of our highly skilled midwives and a strong public health framework.”
The public home birthing service pilot is embedded within the existing Maitland MGP model. The program was developed in close collaboration with the Hunter New England Local Health District’s Women’s Health and Maternity (WHAM) Network, and shaped by extensive community consultation, ensuring the service is safe, sustainable and meets the needs of the local community.
So far, 10 women have registered to participate in the Maitland public home birthing service pilot program, which is expected to support up to 60 women per year.
“Our team of midwives are committed to providing safe, compassionate and evidence-based care for women and their families. We’re looking forward to welcoming the first babies born at home through this service in the coming months,” said Maitland Hospital Midwife Manager, Ashley Booth.
“It has been a privilege to contribute to the Maitland Home Birthing Steering Committee and to see this model developed in genuine partnership with women, midwives and the local community,” said Friends of Maitland Homebirth advocate, Keira Spencer.
The pilot program is part of the Government’s commitment to increasing access to midwifery continuity of care models across the state, which was supported by a $44.8 million investment into maternity care in the 2025-26 NSW Budget which includes funding for an additional 53 FTE midwives in regional NSW.
To learn more visit the Hunter New England Local Health District website.​
