The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation has partnered with St John of God Midland Public Hospital and East Metropolitan Health Service to revamp and revitalise a crucial service delivering culturally appropriate perinatal care to Aboriginal mothers and newborns.
Moort Boodjari Mia, which translates to ‘Family Pregnancy House’ in Noongar language, is a service that provides education and support for pregnancy, health and parenting to reduce social and individual risk factors that can affect the health of mothers and children.
Supported by Aboriginal caregivers working alongside professional midwives, the service prioritises family involvement and the role of grandmothers and aunties in providing a positive environment for a child’s upbringing. St John of God Midland Public Hospital’s Aboriginal Maternity Group Coordinator Jodee Hollingsworth, who is also a clinical midwife, said that Moort Boodjari Mia has been actively working with women and families to provide education surrounding healthy pregnancies.
“We have seen a rise in the average gestation at delivery to 38.8 weeks and the average birthweight has risen to 3401.6g in the second quarter of 2023. This is well above the national average of 37.2 weeks and 3265g, confirming we are on target to meet the National Closing the Gap targets,” she said.
Thanks to the generous support of the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Moort Boodjari Mia will receive vital upgrades, including the creation of a culturally appropriate waiting room, an educational area, and a clinical treatment space.
This funding will also enable the hospital to reach out to the local community, building relationships to further improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal families in the local area.
Hannah Weir, Associate Director of Philanthropy at St John of God Foundation, said the generous support from Stan Perron Charitable Foundation would help to improve outcomes for children and families for many years to come.
The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation also generously provided funding for several pieces of vital equipment in St John of God Health Care hospitals across WA in 2023, helping to bring the very best care to vulnerable babies and children.
We are truly grateful to the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation for their compassion and ongoing commitment to ensuring better health outcomes for our communities.