The Health Justice Partnership has started successfully with over 45 referrals received and actioned.
The Health Justice Partnership is an initiative between Monash Health Social Work, Monash Health Maternity Services and Women’s Legal Services Victoria. This partnership is currently providing holistic support to women who attend Monash Health for antenatal care.
The early intervention model of the partnership combines legal, health, social work and financial counselling, and gives women experiencing family violence during pregnancy access to support services.
Since May 2020, the partnership has received and actioned over 45 referrals. In addition to this, lawyers from Women’s Legal Service Victoria have delivered education sessions to midwives, social workers and the Aboriginal Team in bed based and community settings across Monash Health sites.
“The Health Justice Partnership has enabled legal advice and psycho-social support to be provided to patients and families experiencing a range of stressors directly in the hospital environment. The Partnership has ensured that newborns are kept safe with their families and the appropriate support services are in place. This has been a fantastic partnership with positive outcomes for babies and families,” says Tracey, a Monash Health midwife.
The initiative’s success has led lawyers from Women’s Legal Service Victoria to make an application for more funding to allow the partnership to continue for an additional year.
Well done to the Social Work and midwifery teams for leading this initiative for Monash Health.
If you have a patient who would benefit from these services, you can refer them by completing the referral form and emailing it through to HJP@womenslegal.org.au and SW_Health_Justice@monashhealth.org
For more information on the Health Justice Partnership, you can contact Michael Splawa-Neyman, Social Work Manager and Spiritual Care Manager or Carol Quayle, Social Work Manager, Casey and Dandenong Hospital.
Approved by Jacinta Re