Mums and babies across Australia are receiving more up-to-date, appropriate care thanks to the Australian Government’s Living Evidence for Australian Pregnancy and Postnatal Care (LEAPP) project.
Today marks two years of the project, which has already developed or updated 250 clinical care guidelines to better support new mums and their babies.
LEAAP has developed the first ever Australian Postnatal Care Guidelines for Australia with 95 new recommendations published. These guidelines cover discharge planning, mental health screening, perineal healing and bereavement support.
In the first two years, LEAPP has also created or updated 155 new recommendations in the Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines.
Together the Pregnancy Care Guidelines and the new Postnatal Care Guidelines provide health professionals with evidence-based, best practice information to ensure high quality care for women during pregnancy and the postnatal period.
Key changes include new recommendations on prevention of preterm birth as well as new tools to consider when screening women for depression and anxiety.
A unique feature of LEAPP is that consumers are consulted as part of reviewing recommendations. The LEAPP consumer panel includes women living in regional areas and major cities, First Nations peoples, people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living on a low income.
Work continues with new or updated recommendations to be released on prevention of iron deficiency and other anaemias, care after a traumatic birth experience and screening for gestational diabetes.
The Australian Government has provided $5.9 million to Monash University to update and develop the guidelines. The project is led by Australian Living Evidence Collaboration (ALEC) working in partnership with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Australian College of Midwives and a further 22 member organisations.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White
“Through these changes, we are wrapping the best of care around mums and babies both during and after pregnancy.
“Updating the Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines, and developing Australia’s first national guidelines for postnatal care, are landmark projects.
“I want to thank the organisations and individuals involved in LEAPP for their hard work and dedication over the last two years.
“Critical to this project are the consumer voices bringing perspectives of First Nations people, people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ people and people living on a low income. I acknowledge the work is all the better for their involvement.”