RACGP welcomes move to strengthen post-partum care for new mums and babies

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has welcomed the establishment of a Senate Select Committee on Women’s Health to examine ways of improving care for new mothers and their babies and other key women’s health issues including fertility and women’s pain, following sustained calls from the College to recognise the first 12 months after birth as a national health priority. 

RACGP Acting Vice President Dr Cath Hester said recognising the post-partum period as a critical preventive health priority was an important step towards addressing longstanding gaps in care. 

“The first year after birth is one of the most important periods in the lives of both mother and baby, yet too many families struggle to access the coordinated support they need,” she said.

“We welcome efforts to strengthen post-partum care and improve support for breastfeeding, maternal mental health and infant health. Investing in this period will improve health outcomes, reduce avoidable hospital presentations and help ensure families get the right care at the right time.” 

The RACGP has called for a dedicated MBS-funded GP-led post-partum care plan and the establishment of a National Breastfeeding Advisory Council to improve coordination, accountability and support for families during the critical first 12 months after birth. It is also calling on Australia’s state and territory governments to digitise the Pregnancy Health Record and Baby Book, which tracks immunisations, growth charts, developmental milestones, and six-week checks. 

“GPs and child and family health nursing provide the majority of perinatal, breastfeeding and infant care in Australia and are ideally placed to deliver ongoing, whole-person care for new mothers and babies,” Dr Hester said. 

“A structured, GP-led approach would help ensure no family falls through the cracks and that all Australians can access high-quality post-partum care regardless of where they live or their capacity to pay.” 

Dr Kavita Thanakrishnan, Chair of the RACGP Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Specific Interests Group said the committee presents a significant opportunity to improve support for women during a critical but often overlooked stage of life. 

“Australia's maternity system delivers high-quality care during pregnancy and birth, but too many women experience a cliff edge in support once they return home with a new baby,” Dr Thanakrishnan said. 

“The first 12 months after birth are crucial for a mother's physical recovery, mental health and wellbeing, as well as her baby's development. However, postpartum care is often fragmented, making it difficult for families to navigate the health system and access timely support. 

“This inquiry is an opportunity to reimagine how we support women and birthing parents through truly coordinated, holistic, mother-and-infant-centred care - care that doesn't stop at after birth. The first three months alone involve the complex, evolving medical needs of two human beings, yet our system too often treats this as an afterthought. We can and must do better. 

“We know that early intervention and continuity of care can improve outcomes for mothers and babies, reduce avoidable hospital presentations and support mothers and parents to meet their own goals. 

“The RACGP looks forward to contributing to the inquiry and working with government to strengthen postpartum care and make the first year after birth a national preventive health priority. 

“We know that early intervention and continuity of care can improve outcomes for mothers and babies, reduce avoidable hospital presentations and help ensure no family falls through the cracks. 

“I’d also like to thank Senator Marielle Smith for her steadfast commitment to this critical issue. The RACGP looks forward to contributing to the inquiry and working with government to strengthen postpartum care and make the first year after birth a national preventive health priority.”