Maternity Services Funding - Conditions of Funding and Policy and Program Information 2007 - 2008

Whilst there is significant growth in demand it is the Department’s policy that there is no capping of maternity bookings. Approximately $18M has been distributed to individual health services as a Variable Maternity Services Grant (VMSG). For the 2007-08 financial year $408 per birth episode separation is allocated to health services based on 2006 data, with an approximately 3.3% increase from the previous year per separation.

Hospitals are required to ensure adequate postnatal care for women and their families according to clinical and psycho-social needs. This is defined as offering as a minimum:

• an offer of at least one postnatal domiciliary visit to every woman giving birth and further visits for women according to their needs;
• at least two postnatal home visits or more if required for women with special needs, e.g. newly arrived migrants, single young mothers, women with disabilities, some first time mothers; and
• at least two or more postnatal home visits for women after a caesarean section, or with complications arising from the birth or immediate postnatal period.
• care during pregnancy and childbirth that reflects best available evidence on effectiveness;
• increased continuity of care, with respect to hospital care and integration with the community provision of antenatal and postnatal care and support;
• improved responsiveness to women with special needs;
• improved arrangements for monitoring, review and improvement in the quality of care; and
• greater opportunities for consumers to make informed choices, participate in decision making and provide feedback for service improvement.

Information regarding funding and health service responsibilities under the Variable Maternity Services Grant (VMSG) (PDF File 47KB)

Health services are expected to:

• Manage maternity demand and consider service development and new models of care to better meet demand and contribute to collaborative efforts (eg Regional Meetings, Maternity Managers meetings, 3centres, the Maternity & Newborn Clinical Network). Given variability and uneven distribution of future birthing demand, it will be important for individual services to plan to meet various possible demand scenarios.
• Ensure that any additional funding allocated for maternity services is used exclusively on the provision of maternity services.
• Regularly review data eg Victorian Maternity Services Performance Indicators in an inter-professional forum and ensure action to address mortality and morbidity issues at each service
• Ensure that maternity performance data is included in the health service quality systems and reports
• Review requirements for additional training and education and ensure clinicians attend appropriate activities.
• The Maternity Services Education: A program for Victorian clinicians will be utilised by health services over the next several years along with other education programs.
• Implement the Victorian Maternity Record. Health services will need to meet capacity and capability criteria to participate. (The Victorian Maternity Record (VMR) is being progressively implemented across health services providing maternity services following a successful pilot).  All health services are expected to use the VMR or eVMR (or hybrid record) by 2009.
• Contribute to statewide or regional initiatives eg the Maternity and Newborn Clinical Network.
• To ensure appropriate co-ordination and liaison with local Koori Maternity Service to provide integrated care meeting individual clinical needs and maximising wellbeing.

For further information please refer to the Victorian – public hospitals and mental health services Policy and funding guidelines 2007-08

Variable Maternity Services Grant 2007-08