WHA is a vibrant and diverse non-profit community of more than 145 women’s hospitals and maternity units throughout Australia.
We are a member-led organisation driven by our members who share a passion for continuously improving the experiences and outcomes for women and newborns in their care.
Every week they generously share expertise, ideas, and improvements with each other through WHA. All staff of member hospitals are welcome to participate.
Our Community

maternity healthcare services across Australia
of public births in Australia take place in a WHA member hospital

maternal healthcare professionals actively participate in our community



In Focus
At WHA we are seeing rising concern across the maternity care sector about the negative impacts of climate change on the health and wellbeing of women and newborns. It is...
WHA stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and all its healthcare workers. The Board of WHA has unanimously agreed to signing the statement urging all counties to give...
Women & Leadership Australia is currently offering professional development scholarships for Women's & Children's Healthcare Australasia staff and members. Learn more about this opportunity and pass it along to your...
Over 86% of public births take place in WHA member hospitals across Australia. Our members are in good company: WHA comprises a strong and growing community of hospitals and health...
PTB is a hot topic within the membership community - and is the single most important cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity in the developed world - we are committed...
WHA has joined a global network of health organisations working across 11 countries and spanning five continents has issued a powerful statement calling for a “health in all policies” and...
What We Do

Networking
WHA creates opportunities for our members to connect and share ideas, learnings and innovations within professional networks of like-minded peers.

Collaborative Projects
The WHA Benchmarking Program facilitates data driven improvement in healthcare and outcomes for women and newborns.

Benchmarking
WHA supports member services to work together, to share learning and to partner with women to optimise the health and wellbeing for women and families throughout their maternity care journey.

Networking
WHA creates opportunities for our members to connect and share ideas, learnings and innovations within professional networks of like-minded peers.

Collaborative Projects
The WHA Benchmarking Program facilitates data driven improvement in healthcare and outcomes for women and newborns.

Benchmarking
WHA supports member services to work together, to share learning and to partner with women to optimise the health and wellbeing for women and families throughout their maternity care journey.
Upcoming Events
Every week CHA host virtual meetings on a wide range of topics to enable members to showcase their achievements and seek support from peers for challenges. Log in to our member’s website to register for free for any meetings that interest you…

Specialized Teams for the Care of Micropremature…

August 17th, 2022 10:00 AM AEST
Micropremature infants (born at < 26 weeks’ gestation) have a high risk of mortality or morbidity and are amongst the…

DJÄKAM…

August 17th, 2022 12:30 PM AEST
DJÄKAMIRR is an award winning film that follows Ḻäwurrpa and Sarah on a unique journey through ancestral time, country and…

New Zealand Climate Change Risk Assessment Project…

August 24th, 2022 12:30 PM AEST
Join this web conference to hear how numerous health districts in NZ joined forces to create a regional climate change…

Pathways of shame and compassion: A grounded…

August 30th, 2022 12:30 PM AEST
'I never felt like I belonged'… In this presentation, Dr Laura Biggs will share a grounded theory which aimed to…

Improve…

September 14th, 2022 12:30 PM AEST
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) introduced a digital platform to engage pregnant women as soon as they are referred…

Chief eXperience Officer - Creating Exceptional Experiences…

October 13th, 2022 12:30 PM AEDT
Sherri Huckstep is the first CXO (Chief eXperience Officer) at Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital, a role that has responsibility for…

Murra Mullangari Program - Cultural Safety and…

November 2nd, 2022 12:30 PM AEDT
Murra Mullangari developed by The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) is the first…

Castlem…

November 3rd, 2022 12:30 PM AEDT
In June 2020 Castlemaine Health’s maternity services were suspended pending a review. This was at a time where many smaller…
Advocacy for women throughout their maternity journey
and women’s health services continues to be a strategic priority for WHA.
We are committed to continue to advocate for the provision of culturally safe
environments that are responsive to the diverse needs of women & families.
Organisational Membership
– Connecting, supporting and developing our community.
WHA Membership is open to all public and private hospitals/health networks providing maternity car. All staff at member hospitals are welcome to participate in WHA networks that interest them.
Associate Membership is available* for other organisations that share WHA’s commitment to excellence and innovation in maternity healthcare (*on approval from our board).
WHA connects over 3,200 professionals in maternal and newborn care from more than 145 hospitals and hospital networks.
Organisational Membership
– Connecting, supporting and developing our community.
WHA Membership is open to all public and private hospitals/health networks providing maternity car. All staff at member hospitals are welcome to participate in WHA networks that interest them.
Associate Membership is available* for other organisations that share WHA’s commitment to excellence and innovation in maternity healthcare (*on approval from our board).
WHA connects over 3,200 professionals in maternal and newborn care from more than 145 hospitals and hospital networks.
What our members are saying
WHA provides a place for health care professionals of all disciplines to come together to share evidence, practice and feedback enabling provision of the best care available... To gain information and experience from peers across Australia from like-minded people.
Jackie Kitschke
Midwifery Unit Manager, Midwifery Group Practice, Women's and Children's Hospital, SA
Thanks everyone for sharing - it has been good to hear what is happening across the nation.
Joanne Clarke
Nursing Director, Toowoomba Hospital, Darling Downs Hospital & Health Service, QLD (in response to participation in one of our COVID-themed web conferences)
I've loved your presentation and what an important body of work - thank you for sharing. I look forward to getting the resources and sharing with my teams.
Simone Stewart Noble
Maternity Unit Manager, Mid North Coast Local Health District, NSW [in response to participation “Healing the Past” web conference]
Thank you for the teleconferences that we have been involved in at KEMH across the year. The LOS teleconferences were excellent and fantastic timing for us.
Brodene Straw
Program Manager Service Improvement Unit, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Women and Newborn Health Service, WA
Is my employer a member?
Great! [organization] is already a WHA member!
As a staff member of this hospital, you are invited to have your own unique log in to access all of the great discussions & resources being shared by WHA members online.
Sorry, [organization] is not currently a member of the WHA community. To find out about the benefits and costs of joining WHA.
