Maternity team takes out national award for partnering with First Nations communities

The maternity team behind the culturally safe and accessible pregnancy clinic, known as Boodjari Bidi, has been recognised through the ‘Every Week Counts’ National Collaborative for partnering with First Nations communities.

Providing care for Aboriginal women and their families at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH), Boodjari Bidi means ‘the pregnancy path’ in Noongar and was named with community consultation to offer culturally safe pregnancy care by midwives supported by maternity Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHPs).

FSH Acting Midwifery Manager, Sara Veness, said one of the three pillars of focus at FSH for the collaborative is partnering with First Nations women to provide culturally safe preterm birth prevention care.

"As part of our contribution to the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance, ‘Every Week Counts’ National Collaborative, we have attended three events in Brisbane, Sydney, and Adelaide between May 2025 and March 2026," Sara said.

"At the most recent collaborative, myself and AHP Kira Prosser presented on our team's work in this area while Dr Sarah Rylance also presented on early term birth.

"Our First Nations women experience significantly worse maternal outcomes than the general population and it's our aim to create culturally safe care and improve their maternal and neonatal outcomes."

Following the establishment of a working party in December 2024, the group implemented a number of key changes which included co-designing the service with the Aboriginal Health Strategy team, employing two maternity AHPs, and the ongoing monitoring of consumer feedback, attendance rates, and continuity of care.

In addition to renaming the clinic to Boodjari Bidi, more signage in Noongar language and Aboriginal artwork was brought into the space along with a culturally appropriate kid's station.

FSH Clinical Midwifery Consultant, Phoebe Puttman, said the significant changes made to the clinic really worked to promote culturally safe care and support First Nations women.

"Receiving this award through the ‘Every Week Counts’ National Collaborative is a fantastic achievement and a well-deserved recognition of the team's dedication, collaboration, and commitment to improving outcomes for our community," Phoebe said.

"Their work continues to demonstrate the power of strong partnerships and culturally respectful care.

"We're incredibly proud of the team's passion, persistence, and the positive impact they are making every day. Well done to everyone involved!"

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