First Nations women will soon have a safe space to yarn about all things maternity and child health when West Moreton Health’s Jaghu Maternal and Infant Program opens its clinical space at Bremer Medical Centre in April.

In addition to the two clinic rooms, the community space will include a yarning room and child health area. Parents can make an appointment or drop in to the clinic, which will be open from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. The clinic and yarning space is in addition to Jaghu’s home visit service, which was launched in February.

Jaghu Clinical Midwife Consultant Nicole Moller said the Jaghu clinic would give First Nations women and their families a comfortable, safe space to yarn with wellbeing staff, midwives and child health workers about their maternity and infant care.

“Our clinics will provide child health services, including scheduled health checks, weighing, breastfeeding support, early growth and developmental checks and parenting advice and support,” Nicole said.

The Jaghu program provides women-centred, family-oriented health services in a culturally safe and responsive way. Co-designed with the community, it is designed to provide care for the first 1000 days of life.

First 1000 Days is an evidence-based program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to give children the best start in life and thrive in early infancy. The program works with Elders, clinical staff and the community to provide co-ordinated, comprehensive, culturally informed interventions to support families.

Nicole said the flexible services were a welcome addition to First Nations care.

“These flexible services will provide culturally responsive healthcare which is a priority for our team and community.”

West Moreton Health is committed to removing systemic barriers that contribute to racial disparities in health outcomes and life expectancy experienced by First Nations people.

For further information about the clinic, at Bremer Medical Centre, Building F, 11 Salisbury Rd, Ipswich, and the home visit service, email wm-jaghu@health.qld.gov.au or phone 0458 449 990.