Peak organisations involved in rural and remote maternity care, with the National Rural Health Alliance as a key contributor have come together to collaboratively develop the Second Edition National Consensus Framework for Rural Maternity Services, which provides a framework for safe, evidence based maternity care to prioritise mothers and maternity care providers living outside of urban centres. This Framework is being commended to Health Ministers, service providers, policy makers, clinicians and communities to support women and their families in accessing quality maternity services in rural and Remote Australia
A National Rural Maternity Forum in August 2023 recognised the need for urgent revision of the 2008 National Consensus Framework for Rural Maternity Services with an additional need to address cultural safety, respectful maternity care, continuity of care and carer and the co-design and co-development of maternity services with consumers. The Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner supported the facilitation of the development of the 2nd Edition.