Health Minister Mark Butler visits

We are pleased to announce that Mark Butler, MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, Federal Member for Hindmarsh, visited the Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia in our South Australian Office yesterday. 

This was a welcome opportunity to discuss the importance of this vital program supporting the health of nurses, midwives and nursing and midwifery students. 

Our team is grateful that the Federal Government has funded the Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia, ensuring our professions have access to support when they need it most.  

During his visit, Minister Butler met with key team members, including our Deputy Director, Mark Aitken, the South Australia Hub Coordinator Tanya Carwana and local Hub Clinicians. Minister Butler heard first-hand about our commitment to providing free, confidential peer support to nurses, midwives, and nursing and midwifery students. 

Highlighting the importance of our program

Minister Butler acknowledged the vital role nurses and midwives play in delivering healthcare to Australians, often under challenging circumstances, and emphasised the importance of programs like the Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia.  

“It’s vital that we look after the health and wellbeing of the nurses and midwives who look after ours.  

Too often, nurses and midwives are burnt out from their very stressful and demanding jobs. Their work takes a real toll on their psychological and physical health and leaves them vulnerable.

The Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia seeks to change this, offering independent advice, support and information. Importantly, the people answering calls and engaging with people seeking help are themselves nurses and midwives. They know the issues and challenges and know what people are going through.”

Heather Pickard, our CEO 

“Nurses, midwives and students of our professions are not immune to the sensitive health issues experienced by the general community. What can be challenging is the ability to reach out for help. We encourage people to lean into our program as a safe place where non-judgmental peer support is available.”  

Denise Heinjus OAM, our Board Chair

"The program is delighted to be able to demonstrate first-hand the value of the Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia to Health Minister Mark Butler. The Commonwealth Government demonstrated vision and commitment by funding this unique national program and highlights the value placed on the health and wellbeing of nurses and midwives and nursing and midwifery students. Their health and wellbeing is vital in being able to bring the best versions of themselves to their workplaces and to those loved ones around them.”  

Our locations - face to face peer support 

The Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia South Australia office is one of several office locations across the country that provides localised, peer-led support tailored to the unique challenges faced by nurses and midwives in their professional and personal lives. The program offers: 

• Free and confidential peer support from people who understand the pressures of the professions. 
• Support for managing stress, preventing burnout, substance use, other workplace challenges or even personal challenges outside of the workplace. 
• Resources and connections to enhance mental health. 

To find out more go to peer support service explained. 

Media enquiries

Tayla Vella  
Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Coordinator 
tvella@nursemidwifehpa.org.au