We recently welcomed Dr Belinda Maier as the Clinical Lead for the Perinatal Statewide Clinical Network (SCN). As a registered nurse, midwife and lactation consultant with 35 years’ experience, Dr Maier has worked across clinical practice, hospital operations, education, research, policy and statewide health system reform.
Care before, during and after pregnancy plays an important role in the lifelong health and wellbeing for women, babies and families.
The Perinatal SCN brings together clinicians, people with lived experience and health partners to provide statewide clinical leadership, advice and collaboration across perinatal health care services.
In this Q&A, Dr Maier shares what drives her work in perinatal care and the importance of improving outcomes for women, babies and families across South Australia.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what drew you to this area of work?
I have been a passionate midwife for 35 years, and I have never lost my joy in the role — or my interest in the challenges facing midwifery. For me, it all comes down to women, babies and families receiving safe, respectful care and having genuine choice. I have worked across clinical practice, education, research, policy and leadership, but that has always remained at the heart of my work.
Why does the work within the perinatal space matter right now in South Australia?
Pregnancy, birth and the early months of life have lifelong effects for women, babies and families. We have an opportunity to ensure that care across South Australia is contemporary, evidence-based and equitable, regardless of where someone lives or where they receive care. We must address the elephant in the room that is women’s increasing experience of obstetric trauma. We must look at policy and practice and ensure that women are pivotal in all we do in regard to choice safety and what matters to them.
What is the key challenge or opportunity for improving perinatal health and wellbeing across the SA health system?
One of our greatest challenges is variation — in access, models of care, workforce capability and outcomes. Our opportunity is to connect services, clinicians, consumers and data across the state so we can learn from each other, reduce unnecessary variation and improve care, particularly for regional and rural communities.
What motivated you to take on this Clinical Lead role?
I was attracted to the opportunity to influence perinatal care across the whole state. I want the Network to be active, useful and focused on the issues where statewide clinical leadership can genuinely make a difference.
How will you approach leading this work?
My approach will be collaborative, practical and evidence-based. I want us to identify the important problems, understand them properly, bring together the right people and then follow the work through. Clinicians, consumers and services all need a meaningful voice in shaping our priorities and solutions.
What does success look like?
Success means the Network does more than meet and receive reports. It means we can clearly show that our work has improved care, strengthened collaboration and influenced change. Ultimately, success is safer, more respectful and more equitable perinatal care for women, babies and families across South Australia.