” The ANFPP not only focuses on the mother and child but also assists their partners to develop a vision for their family’s future and encouragement to fulfil that vision.

The Australian Government has committed $40 million under the Better Start to Life approach to progressively expand the ANFPP from three sites to 13, by 30 June 2018.

These expansion sites were identified through a review of the child and maternal health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by geographic area, population health data including birth rates and existing services in the area.

The program will be implemented by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (Brisbane South, Queensland), Danila Dilba Health Service, (Darwin, Northern Territory) and Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc. (Adelaide, South Australia). ”

The Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt, announced today three new sites for the Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program (ANFPP) that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are pregnant, or women pregnant with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child.

Download the Ministers press Release Ken Wyatt Press Release

“The ANFPP is a nurse-led home visiting program, that supports women from around 16 weeks gestation to two years of age,” Minister Wyatt said.

“I am very pleased to announce the growth of the Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program to three new sites in Brisbane South, Darwin and Adelaide.

“The Australian Government has committed $40 million under the Better Start to Life approach to progressively expand the ANFPP from three sites to 13, by 30 June 2018.

“Based on the findings, consultations occurred with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Partnership Forums in each jurisdiction to seek further advice on the proposed locations and identify organisations with the capacity to implement and sustain the high fidelity of the program.”

Minister Wyatt said there is strong evidence that long-term gains in the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will come from investing in the early years of life and in supporting children and their families at this point in the life cycle.

“The program has demonstrated positive outcomes for women, children and families by providing comprehensive support for antenatal and postnatal care and child health and development. As at 31 March 2017, 1,269 mothers have been enrolled in the program, with 18,579 visits having taken place since the commencement of the program in 2009.

“The ANFPP not only focuses on the mother and child but also assists their partners to develop a vision for their family’s future and encouragement to fulfil that vision.”

The program will be implemented by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (Brisbane South, Queensland), Danila Dilba Health Service, (Darwin, Northern Territory) and Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc. (Adelaide, South Australia).

The ANFPP is currently delivered in five sites: Wellington, New South Wales; Cairns and North Brisbane, Queensland; and Alice Springs and a hub and spoke model operating out of Darwin to support the Top End communities of – Wadeye, Maningrida, Gunbalunya and Wurrumiyanga, Northern Territory.

“The Australian Government is committed to reducing the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infant mortality, and I am very pleased to support this important initiative,” Minister Wyatt said.