New South Wales chief midwife calls for more midwifery staff

Donna Garland, the first chief midwife for New South Wales, has called for continued growth in the midwifery workforce to ensure sustainable support for women during pregnancy, birth, and postnatal periods.

While the state has seen a 10 per cent increase in midwives since June 2023—bringing the total to over 3,400 employees—Garland emphasized that more staff are required to match the care demands of women. The creation of the chief midwife role follows a 2024 state inquiry into birth trauma.

Garland highlighted the importance of continuity of care initiatives, where a single midwife provides consistent support from pregnancy through to home visits after birth. This model aims to build trust and reduce trauma by ensuring women do not have to repeatedly recount their medical histories.