By Mikayla van Loon
Designing an Australian first perinatal first aid program supporting parents through not only the physical triggers of illness but the mental as well has led to industry recognition.
Emergcare co-directors Hendrik Gutwirth and Daniel Parks were presented with the Kidsafe Victoria Program Partner of the Year award at the Gala of Enchantment on 3 May.
Hendrik, a Montrose resident, said initially the program started with running paediatric first aid classes for parents but they broadened the program to include mental health awareness from the time of conception to one year post birth.
“One’s quite vulnerable with mental health illnesses, particularly perinatal, anxiety, depression, and what tends to happen usually, a lot of women after giving birth they go through the maternal child health nurse and so forth in the journey and get screened for any sort of mental health conditions because they’re quite vulnerable in that period,” he said.
“But what was so unique about what we’ve done is you have the dads or the partners sitting in the course with them learning about what to do for bub, but they also learn how to take care of themselves.”
Inclusive of all parents who may have conceived via surrogate or IVF and even key caregivers, like grandparents, Hendrik said it means everyone is aware of what to do if a child is choking but also the signs of ill mental health in the parents.
Partnering with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) to design the program has meant it is informed by the most accurate research and methods of delivery.
Hendrik said for parents to learn about how to care for themselves and their partners during pregnancy and post-birth allows a better bond with their child, forming great relationships and development outcomes in the long run.
Both Hendrik and Daniel are registered paramedics and fathers themselves so they understand the medical concerns parents have in those early years but also the challenges of “parenthood and the juggle and the transitions”.
For Kidsafe Victoria, the leading injury prevention agency in the state, to partner with a first aid organisation and then award them for the program, Hendrik said is quite incredible and unique.
“They’ve never really partnered with any first aid provider before. There is that service gap that hasn’t been addressed and it’s another platform to get that message out there about child safety education, which we’re really passionate about as well,” he said.
The perinatal program still covers all of the basics of first aid like CPR, choking, identifying red flags and certain conditions with respiratory illnesses, fractures, fevers and bleeding but also emotional wellbeing, what anxiety and depression looks like and numerous resources for parents to access.
Expanding the program for online access and e-learning, as well as launching a course in Mandarin, Hendrik said it is about reaching as many parents and caregivers as possible.
Operating in-person classes from Parkville to Ringwood and out to Olinda, Hendrik said there’s an opportunity for parents to get involved somewhere locally, no matter where they live.
Partnering with Kidsafe to work towards zero infant and child deaths caused by preventable harms, Hendrik said was absolutely the goal.
“[Kidsafe’s] whole mission is to reduce injuries and deaths. We tell parents we want you to get into your child’s world, get on the floor and crawl around.
“Grab chemicals out of the cupboard, grab the handle off the kitchen stove, leaving hot drinks on the side of the arm chairs and things you don’t even think twice about until you have a little one.
“But the actions can happen fast and can be catastrophic and as a paramedic, I’m dad as well, I’ve been on the other end.”
Find the website at emergcare.com.au/en/home
