The Antenatal Clinic, which includes the Swift Street Medical and Wellington Aboriginal Health Centre (WAHC) teams, were recognised as Medicare Champions in the Stronger Medicare Awards for ˜supporting its regional community through effective multidisciplinary care, including two GPs, a midwife, and a nurse.’

As well as providing bulk-billed services and home visits, the team is focused on emotional and social wellbeing of patients “ from early pregnancy to post-partum.

The team is especially committed to supporting those without family support, single mothers, teen mothers, First Nations women, and people experiencing domestic violence and drug addiction.

Upon receiving the award at a ceremony in Canberra, Dr Ian Spencer said it was a great honour to “boost and demonstrate what is being done for rural communities at the local level.

“We are so lucky to partner with organisations like WAHC, the Western NSW Primary Health Network, and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine who work with such passion for equity of access for rural communities, he said.

Western NSW Primary Health Network CEO Brad Porter said the award was well deserved.

“The Wellington Antenatal Clinic has provided such dedicated support, not only in Wellington but across the region.

“Ian’s role as a Student and Registrar trainer and mentor, has also significantly assisted with elevating the workforce over the years, he said.

More than 140 exceptional nominations were received from across the country, with 37 finalists and the final 20 Medicare Champions chosen by a panel of experts.