The role of the Maternity Liaison Officer in provision of primary health care: A values-based service model

Njue, C; Galas, N; Nadar, N; Latanik, M; Dawson, A

The role of the Maternity Liaison Officer in provision of primary health care: A values-based service model

Njue, C

Galas, N Nadar, N Latanik, M Dawson, A

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Publication Type:: Conference Proceeding
Citation:: 2020
Issue Date:: 2020-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Njue, C https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9325-3565
dc.contributor.author	Galas, N
dc.contributor.author	Nadar, N
dc.contributor.author	Latanik, M
dc.contributor.author	Dawson, A
dc.date	2019-12-04
dc.date.accessioned	2022-01-16T12:59:40Z
dc.date.available	2022-01-16T12:59:40Z
dc.date.issued	2020-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	2020
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/153169
dc.description.abstract	Background: A policy directive of the New South Wales government focused on ensuring that all ethnic groups within the community have appropriate and equitable access to services led to the introduction of the maternity liaison officer (MLO) program in the late 1990s. The role of the MLO is to work alongside health professionals to provide education, social support and counselling to pregnant refugee and migrant women of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD). Methods: We reviewed reports and policy documents from 2008 to examine the attributes of this hospital-based service model and share insights into how the MLOs deliver care to meet the needs of mothers and babies. Findings: Maternity liaison officers have readily assumed the responsibility of maintaining current knowledge and building competency in improving the health and wellbeing of refugee and migrant women and newborns. They act as important bridge between women and the health system enabling vulnerable women to competently navigate their maternity journey, gynaecological care and the care of newborn infants in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner. Discussion and conclusion: This service model offers an acceptable way to support the delivery of maternity care to women and include those from refugee and CALD- backgrounds. Investment in the rigorous evaluation of this service is needed to provide strong evidence to optimise service delivery and guide future decision making.
dc.language	en
dc.relation	University of Technology Sydney
dc.relation.ispartof	11th Health Services and Policy Research Conference
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	The role of the Maternity Liaison Officer in provision of primary health care: A values-based service model
dc.type	Conference Proceeding
utslib.location.activity	Auckland, New Zealand
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-01-16T12:59:39Z
pubs.finish-date	2020-08-06
pubs.publication-status	In preparation
pubs.start-date	2019-12-04

Abstract:

Background: A policy directive of the New South Wales government focused on ensuring that all ethnic groups within the community have appropriate and equitable access to services led to the introduction of the maternity liaison officer (MLO) program in the late 1990s. The role of the MLO is to work alongside health professionals to provide education, social support and counselling to pregnant refugee and migrant women of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD). Methods: We reviewed reports and policy documents from 2008 to examine the attributes of this hospital-based service model and share insights into how the MLOs deliver care to meet the needs of mothers and babies. Findings: Maternity liaison officers have readily assumed the responsibility of maintaining current knowledge and building competency in improving the health and wellbeing of refugee and migrant women and newborns. They act as important bridge between women and the health system enabling vulnerable women to competently navigate their maternity journey, gynaecological care and the care of newborn infants in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner. Discussion and conclusion: This service model offers an acceptable way to support the delivery of maternity care to women and include those from refugee and CALD- backgrounds. Investment in the rigorous evaluation of this service is needed to provide strong evidence to optimise service delivery and guide future decision making.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/153169