Who we are
The 3Centres Collaboration refers to a:

  • Joint steering group of senior obstetric and midwifery managers from Melbourne’s three tertiary maternity hospitals or ‘centres’ – Mercy Hospital for Women, The Royal Women’s Hospital and Monash Medical Centre (Southern Health). The steering group also includes the Director's of the Perinatal Emergency Referral Service (PERS) and the Maternity and Newborn Clinical Network (MNCN).  Two senior representatives from the Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS) participate in the group as non-voting members.
     

  • and a Work Program January 2009 to December 2011 (PDF 91K)


 These are the people in the steering group:

 Ms Tanya Farrell (co-chair),
Director, Women's Services,
Royal Women's Hospital

Prof Euan Wallace (co-chair),
Director of Obstetrics,
Southern Health

Ms Helen Gillies (Treasurer),
Director of Nursing,
Women's and Children's Program,
Southern Health

Dr Bernadette White,
Medical Director, Maternity Services,
Mercy Hospital for Women

Ms Karen Clark,
Director of Maternity and Patient Services,
Mercy Hospital for Women

Ms Therese Bowditch,
Deputy Director of Nursing,
Maternity and Neonatal Services,
Mercy Hospital for Women

Dr Louise Kornman,
Director of Obstetrics,
Royal Women's Hospital

Professor Jeremy Oats,
Director,
Maternal Newborn Clinical Network,
Department of Human Services

Ms Jacqui Smith,
Medical Director,
Perinatal Emergency Referral Service (PERS)

Mrs Julie Jenkin,
Manager,
Maternity Services, 
Ambulance and Acute Programs,  
Metropolitan Health and Aged Care, 
Department of Human Services

Ms Melissa Brown
Senior Program Advisor
Maternity Services, 
Ambulance and Acute Programs,  
Metropolitan Health and Aged Care, 
Department of Human Services

Mr Trevor Sutherland,
Manager,
Ambulance and Acute Programs,
Metropolitan Health and Aged Care,
Department of Human Services
       
Ex officio:

Catherine Chamberlain,
Project Coordinator,
3 Centres Collaboration

Collaboration is a core value underpinning our working relationships

Aims and objectives

The Aim of the 3 Centres Collaboration is to improve the quality of maternity care services in Victoria.

The  specific objectives include:

  1. To provide a forum for multidisciplinary expertise and leadership in maternity care

  2. To increase the use of evidence in maternity care

  3. To increase access to evidence based guidelines

  4. To improve collaboration between tertiary maternity service providers

  5. To improve access to evidence based information for consumers

  6. To share learnings and expertise

Details of specific activities being undertaken to achieve these objectives are outlined in the Program Logic Framework (2006-2009) (PDF 88K)

 Principles

In the first months of 2000 the steering group developed six principles to provide a framework for developing guidelines, particularly for situations where there were ambiguities in the research evidence and difficulties reaching consensus. The principles state that to the greatest  extent possible antenatal care should be:

  • Safe and scientific. The safety and wellbeing of mothers and babies is fundamental to all maternity care. Care is based on relevant, evidence-based research and reviewed regularly.

  • Woman centred. Women are acknowledged as individuals who differ in their needs, values and preferences. Informed choice is an integral part of antenatal decision-making.

  • Equitable and accessible. Antenatal care is available to women regardless of socioeconomic or cultural background, disability or place of residence.

  • Cost effective. Antenatal care is delivered in an efficient and cost effective manner

  • Collaborative. Obstetricians, midwives, general practitioners and allied health staff adopt a multidisciplinary team approach to care, consultation and referral.

  • Every woman is a partner in the decision-making process. Her support network is acknowledged and valued.

  • A positive learning experience. Women are prepared for pregnancy, birth and  parenting. Doctors, midwives and allied health staff learn, practice and improve their skills. Women are consulted regularly regarding experiences of care.

The implications of these principles for guidelines can be seen in the recommendation that screening tests are "offered" rather than "performed".
 

All guidelines contain recommendations that women receive written information early as possible in pregnancy in an appropriate language and format and are given an opportunity to discuss procedures and the implications of a positive result prior to those tests. This corresponds to principles of woman-centred and collaborative pregnancy care.

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“Applying the best available evidence and expertise to maternity care in Victoria” 

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