Future Directions for Victoria’s Maternity Services

The Future Directions for Victoria’s Maternity Services (Future Directions) policy released in 2004, outlines the principles underpinning maternity services care.  Further work has been undertaken in 2008 to more clearly define the four main principles of Future Directions.  Characteristics of a Future Directions maternity service have been articulated and examples from maternity services across metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria have been provided in the document, Future Directions principles in action: examples from the field. 

Future Directions - principles in action: examples from the field (pdf, 68KB) - January 2009

Future Directions for Victoria's Maternity Services (pdf, 1.23 MB) - May 2004

Future Directions for Victoria's Maternity Services Implementation Report

The purpose of making the Future Directions for Victoria’s Maternity Services Implementation Report available electronically is to:

• Summarise system wide progress in implementing primary models of maternity care
• Provide a resource and encouragement to health services as they continue developing and progressing their maternity service in alignment with Future Directions policy

Having analysed responses, the Department is confident that Victorian health services are moving forward in providing more maternity care options for women. 
 
The focus of Future Directions was to provide primary maternity services within local settings, provide women with greater control of their birthing experience and establish maternity service models that promote continuity of care.  In August 2008 health services were asked to provide information to the Department relating to their implementation of Future Directions policy.

Future Directions for Victoria's Maternity Services Implementation Report (pdf, 1.23 MB)