- Innovative virtual care connecting Kimberley women with high-risk pregnancies to expert antenatal care
- Live ultrasound links regional patients and clinicians with King Edward Memorial Hospital subspecialists
- More than $450,000 secured through the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund
- Delivers on Cook Labor Government’s commitment to provide maternity care closer to home and on Country
The Cook Labor Government is backing an innovative virtual care project connecting women with high-risk pregnancies in the Kimberley to expert antenatal care closer to home.
The Connected Care project brings together WA Country Health Service and Women and Newborn Health Service, using real-time tele-ultrasound technology to connect regional patients and clinicians with Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) subspecialists at King Edward Memorial Hospital.
With more than 6,000 pregnancies cared for annually in rural and remote Western Australia, the project is designed to strengthen local clinical capacity, promote culturally safe care, and support early diagnosis and intervention.
Using livestreaming of ultrasound images, MFM subspecialists can remotely guide ultrasound examinations, interpret findings, and provide specialist consultation during a single co-ordinated appointment.
This innovative model enables women with high-risk pregnancies to access subspecialist care closer to home, reducing the need for travel to Perth while supporting timely clinical decision-making.
The project received a major boost after securing over $450,000 through the Cook Labor Government’s Future Health Research and Innovation Fund in 2025.
Following a successful launch in Broome, clinical leads are looking toward implementation in Hedland later this year, with the potential to expand to the Pilbara and Kimberley in 2027.
Comments attributed to Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
“Our government is backing innovative approaches that connect regional women with specialist care helping them stay close to family support networks and on Country throughout their pregnancy.
“Connected Care brings the expertise of our State’s maternity hospital into a local appointment helping women get timely advice and reducing the need to travel to Perth.
“It also gives our regional sonographers and obstetricians the opportunity to work alongside doctors who specialise in complex and higher-risk pregnancies, building local skills and strengthening maternity care across country WA.”
Comments attributed to Medical Research and Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson:
“TheFuture Health Research and Innovation Fund is driving advancements in health and medical research right across Western Australia.
“The Cook Labor Government is proud to support this pioneering approach to maternal care, improving access to specialist services for expectant mothers living furthest from metropolitan services.
“This innovative project aims to take timely, expert maternity care available closer to home for women and their families, while enhancing communication and collaboration between country clinicians and tertiary services.”
Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna:
“This is a fantastic initiative for Kimberley women, giving them access to expert pregnancy care locally and reducing the need to leave their families and communities for specialist appointments in Perth.
“For Aboriginal women and their families, being able to receive culturally safe care close to family and on Country is so important. That connection can make a real difference to a woman’s wellbeing during pregnancy, and this project is helping more women access specialist care while staying close to the people and places that support them.”
