North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS) is proud to welcome two new team members in a major step forward for maternal care in rural and remote Queensland.

For the first time, NWHHS has appointed a dedicated Senior Social Worker – Maternal Health and a Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapist, to support pregnant women and new mothers across the region.

Based at Mount Isa Base Hospital, Anne Li (Senior Social Worker) and Lyndel Hicks (Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapist) will deliver care not only in Mount Isa, but also across Normanton, Mornington Island and Doomadgee.

“This is a really important investment in women’s health,” said Karen Slater, Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance at NWHHS. “Women in our region deserve the same level of care and support during and after pregnancy as anywhere else in Queensland. These new roles will make that possible.”

Until now, maternity patients in the North West region have not had consistent access to dedicated social work or physiotherapy services. The addition of Anne and Lyndel will help bridge critical gaps in care, especially in areas such as:

• Perinatal mental health support
• Postnatal physical recovery
• Birth trauma and grief counselling
• Pelvic floor and pain management
• Transition to parenting and psychosocial support

“Women in rural and remote communities often miss out on early intervention and support for issues like pelvic pain, incontinence or recovery after birth,” said Lyndel Hicks, Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapist. “By bringing these services closer to home, we can help women feel more confident in their bodies, improve long-term health outcomes, and reduce the need to travel for care.”

One patient, Sarah (name changed for privacy), is currently pregnant and facing ongoing housing instability. She was referred to the service as an outpatient, struggling with the stress of her situation and unsure where to turn.

“Being able to speak with Anne changed everything,” she said. “I felt seen. She helped me navigate the support system and even provided letters to help with my housing situation. It gave me the confidence to keep going.”

The pair will work closely with midwives, GPs, Aboriginal health workers, and local clinicians to deliver culturally safe, woman-centred care tailored to each community’s needs.

“Being able to meet women where they are, in their own towns and health clinics makes a huge difference,” said Anne Li. “Pregnancy and early parenting can be an incredibly vulnerable time and having that support available locally helps women feel heard, supported, and empowered.”

This initiative is part of NWHHS’s broader commitment to improving rural maternity outcomes and ensuring equitable access to essential health services for families in the North West.