More than 30 Sunshine Coast Health Staff have received education scholarships, totaling $19,045, from Wishlist to develop their skills and maintain the regions high level of health care.

A big portion of the funding will allow nine local midwives to complete a Lactation Consultant Examination Preparation Course—an important step in empowering the Sunshine Coast’s newest mums who are having issues with breastfeeding.

The 10-month course will also give
these midwives the skills to deal with complex breastfeeding cases throughout
the local health service, as International
Board-Certified Lactation Consultants.

The funding will increase the
number of consultants readily available to new mums.

Sunshine Coast University Hospital
Midwife, Kirsten Lanagan, said the course will ensure she and fellow midwives
can offer the highest quality care and, in turn, better health outcomes for our
mothers.

“We know that Midwives play a vital
role in supporting mums to establish and continue breastfeeding. We also know
only a small portion of women breastfeed exclusively for more than six
months. 

“Following an exam at the end of
the course to become International Board-Certified Lactation
Consultants, myself and eight other midwives will have a deeper
knowledge of how to help mums overcome some of the issues that prevent
continued breastfeeding. This course, and the skills gained from it, will
directly benefit thousands of news mums on the Coast.

“We are very grateful to Wishlist
for the support,” said Ms Lanagan.

The latest round of Staff
Scholarship Funding is part of Wishlist’s $100,000 commitment to enhancing the
local hospital experience for families through staff development—a commitment
only possible because of the foundation’s ongoing support from local
businesses.

Wishlist’s newest partnership with BoQ
Buderim and Maroochydore has provided a valuable boost to the local health
service.

BoQ Buderim owner, Marcus Henderson
said the branches strong community focus is what prompted the partnership with
Wishlist.

“After seeing the fantastic work
achieved by Wishlist over the years, we wanted to get involved and contribute.

“BoQ Buderim is a very community
focused local business and we saw Wishlist as the perfect partner in this
respect,” said Mr. Henderson.

The partnership is a win for
Wishlist and stands to benefit local families that will use the Sunshine Coast
Health service, as well as hospital staff.

Owner of BoQ Maroochydore, Nicholas
Barker, said he is thrilled to be supporting Wishlist and their work to enhance
the local hospital experience through education and skill progression for
staff, as well as many other important hospital services.

“Our community benefits greatly
from the work of Wishlist. We’re proud to be a part of that.”