Women who suffer a miscarriage will now have access to bereavement support and enhanced follow-up care thanks to $9.5 million (US$6.3 million) in new federal government funding.
This support package aims to fill the gaps in data to gain a better understanding of miscarriage, as announced by Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney on May 17.
It is estimated that approximately 110,000 Australian women experience a miscarriage each year, which can have long-term effects on their physical and mental well-being.
For the one to two percent of women who experience three or more consecutive miscarriages, the impact can be particularly profound.
Ms. Kearney highlighted that women who have gone through a miscarriage often report a lack of information, limited access to follow-up care, and inadequate referrals to counseling and other support services.
They may also face stigma and feelings of shame, exacerbated by a medical system that may not fully address their needs.
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Ms. Kearney stated that the funding from the Labor party will initiate a public dialogue about miscarriage and provide better support for women and their families as they navigate through loss and grief.
“Experiencing a miscarriage can be one of the most challenging and traumatic moments in a woman’s life,” the minister expressed in a statement.
“The tragedy is compounded when she does not receive compassionate care or feels isolated and alone while coping with this loss.
“As a former nurse, I am proud to be instrumental in reshaping the healthcare system to offer more empathetic care to women.”
The funding allocation includes $5.5 million (US$3.7 million) for grants to support bereavement services, $1.5 million (US$1 million) for educational and awareness initiatives for the public and healthcare professionals to provide assistance to women and families.
An additional $1 million (US$700,000) will be directed to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to enhance data on miscarriage, enabling a preliminary study for national data collection on miscarriages.
A further $1.5 million investment will support a national audit of Early Pregnancy Assessment Service clinics.
Isabelle Oderberg, chair of the Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition, emphasized that miscarriage has been shrouded in shame and stigma for too long, leading to isolation and inadequate medical and mental health care.
“This budgetary funding marks the beginning of addressing this unacceptable status quo,” she remarked.
Samantha Payne, CEO of the Pink Elephants Support Network for individuals impacted by miscarriage, welcomed the funding package as a means to “change the narrative” surrounding this issue.
She noted that the funds will enable more women to access early intervention support, ultimately helping to reduce the shame, stigma, grief, and negative mental health outcomes that many women experience following a miscarriage.
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