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Maternal and Child Health Uplift Program: Investing in Health, Empowering Communities
In the 2024–2025 financial year, the Maternal and Child Health Uplift Program (MCHUP), funded by Northern Queensland PHN (NQPHN), continued to play a vital role in strengthening maternal and child health care across Northern Queensland. Through providing funding for upskilling opportunities for local primary care providers, this program directly supports better outcomes for mothers, fathers and children, particularly within Indigenous communities, where access to culturally safe care is critical.
Program Reach (2024 -2025 financial year)
Total individual applications approved: 119
Total organisation applications approved: 3 approved/pre-approved
Total ACCHS/AMS applications approved: 7
Total funding provided: $307,029.11
The program supported primary care providers from a wide range of disciplines, including registered nurses and midwives, birth support workers, general practitioners, health workers, psychologists, social workers, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, radiologists and exercise physiologists.
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and Aboriginal Medical Services Supported
The program has funded professionals from seven Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) in the NQPHN region, including Mookai Rosie, a long-standing Aboriginal women’s health service.
This direct investment is contributing to increased access to maternal and child health services for Indigenous communities, making a measurable difference in the lives of families across the region.
Mookai Rosie and the First Nations Doula Workforce
One of the standout stories from this year comes from Mookai Rosie, where the MCHUP funded three applicants - two birth support workers and one registered nurse/midwife - to complete targeted maternal and child health training.
Two of these participants completed a Certificate IV in Doula Support Services, enabling them to formally take on enhanced birth support roles in the community. One of the doulas, Kim, is now working towards becoming a certified Newborn Behavioural Observations (NBO) practitioner, aiming to use this powerful assessment tool during early postnatal checks to strengthen the bond between mums and their babies.
Kim shares, “My aim is to use the assessment tool at 3, 5 and 7-day checks to support positive interactions between mums and bubs. I am also heading a team of First Nations doulas who I will support to incorporate this learning into their interactions with mums and bubs.”
This kind of ripple effect, where upskilled professionals not only improve care directly but also support and mentor others, speaks to the long-term community benefit of the program.
Real Voices, Real Change
Speech pathologist Kelly Rodgers, based in the Whitsundays, described the impact of the funding as “transformational” for her practice.
“Accessing this support has given me skills to assess and treat orofacial-myofunctional disorders, something outside the typical graduate-level knowledge,” Kelly said. “This training opened up an entirely new area of practice for me and gave me the tools to support local families without the need for them to travel or use Telehealth.”
For sole practitioners in regional areas, cost is a common barrier to professional development. Kelly noted that both course fees and time away from work created a financial strain that would have otherwise prevented her from attending the training.
“The MCHUP bursary made all the difference. Without it, I would not have been able to attend,” she said. “Now, I’m able to support families seeking help for orofacial-myofunctional disorders and offer therapy locally. The feedback from parents has been incredibly positive.”
In the Whitsundays region, this upskilling has already begun to fill a critical service gap. Families who previously had to travel to larger cities or rely on virtual appointments can now access high-quality, in-person care close to home.
Chiropractor Taylah Wilnierak, who also received funding through the program, shared a similar story of impact. Based in a rural Queensland community, Taylah used the bursary to undertake training in pregnancy and prenatal chiropractic care, a course offered in Sydney.
“The support covered my course fees, travel, and accommodation, which made the training achievable for me to attend,” Taylah explained. “This training has given me greater clarity and confidence when working with pregnant women. I’m now helping more women in my community have healthy, comfortable pregnancies and achieve the births they desire.”
Dr Vicki Stonehouse from Palm Island has accessed funding multiple times since the program started noting the impact on the community from the funding received to upskill. “Being in a remote location, patients in the community don’t always have timely access to women's and children's specialist services. We as GPs often also face many roadblocks to our patients being seen and managed when coming from these remote areas. By upskilling in maternal and child health I have been able to better support women and children on Palm Island and have been more confident providing care when I previously may have relied on other specialist services. The MCHUP is such a valuable program that will have long lasting benefits to practitioners and communities alike.”
Looking Ahead
The MCHUP continues to demonstrate the importance of sustained investment in local and culturally safe primary care. As Northern Queensland’s communities grow and evolve, the health professionals supported by this program are ensuring that women and children receive the high-quality care they deserve, close to home, and in culturally appropriate settings. The program is helping build stronger, healthier futures for generations to come.
