1. Australian maternity service provision: a comparative analysis of state and territory maternity care frameworks.
- Author
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Brundell, Kath, Vasilevski, Vidanka, Farrell, Tanya, and Sweet, Linda
- Subjects
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MATERNAL health services , *HEALTH policy , *HEALTH services accessibility , *CLINICAL governance , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *POPULATION geography , *MEDICAL care , *COMPARATIVE studies , *DECISION making , *LITERATURE reviews , *CONTENT analysis , *MANAGEMENT , *GREY literature - Abstract
Objective: Healthcare delivery in Australia is managed at state and territory levels. This paper aims to compare the content and structure of publicly accessible Australian maternity service state and territory frameworks which guide the delivery of maternity care. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to identify publicly accessible Australian state and territory maternity service frameworks. A comparative content analysis was undertaken. Results: Six of the potential eight states and territories had locatable frameworks. Differences in both structure and content were found between frameworks. Variation exists between standalone maternity service frameworks and comprehensive clinical frameworks. Several jurisdictions align policy and ministerial directives in their frameworks outlining service delivery and guidance relating to maternal and/or neonatal transfer. Language referring to the assessment of maternity services and service risk varied. Conclusion: Consistency in structure, language, and a clear communication strategy embedded into each maternity service framework may improve the functioning and consistency of Australian maternity services at each level of the healthcare system. What is known about this topic? Limited evidence or analysis exists of the content of different maternity service framework documents in each Australian state and territory, despite a body of discourse and critical review regarding the previous national maternity service framework. What this paper adds? Similarities and differences in Australian maternity service frameworks are examined, providing insights into maternity operations and prioritised policy across differing jurisdictions. What are the implications for practitioners? Analysis of Australian maternity service frameworks highlights opportunities where jurisdictional governance documents can be strengthened or unified in the absence of an agreed national maternity service framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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