Rural Obstetrical & Maternity Sustainability Program (ROAM)

Strengthening Maternity Team Sustainability

In 2024, 32 rural maternity teams participated in the ROAM program, using their community funds to pursue a variety of initiatives focused on local priorities designed to enhance the sustainability of maternity services in their communities. Maternity teams used their ROAM funds to organize team education sessions, coaching opportunities, develop networks in their community and along the corridor of care, build relationships, and strengthen team function within the interprofessional maternity team. Teams also continued to access the Indigenous Partnership funding, which is available for partnerships co-developed between maternity providers and a First Nation or Métis organization or community.

Some of the activities supported by ROAM funding included coaching new-to-practice physicians and midwives, C-section and other emergency simulations, coaching experiences in higher-volume hospitals, hosting a Perinatal Substance Use workshop, team-building activities to strengthen communication pathways, and case presentations on postpartum hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, and other topics.

Communities report on their successes

At the Virtual Rural Maternity Summit in September 2024, the Smithers team shared the work they had done over the previous year since their presentation at the 2023 in-person Summit. They described their efforts to establish a maternity department with two nurses 24/7, hire additional maternity nurses and allied health professionals, and reduce their time on diversion. A nursing staff satisfaction survey showed a marked improvement in morale and teamwork.

The Port Alberni team presented on the BiRCH Clinic, based on a similar model in Campbell River. This proactive initiative aims to support women in understanding their risks and developing pathways to improve their health, with the goal of reducing cardiovascular disease and stroke following pregnancy complications.

Expanding ROAM to Include Local Clinical Leads and Network Coordinators

A major milestone in 2024 was the approval of funding to integrate local Clinical Leads and Network Coordinators into each ROAM team, beginning in January 2025. These roles will provide hands-on support to rural maternity teams, strengthening both clinical leadership and logistical coordination.

The Clinical Lead will offer on-the-ground leadership for the interdisciplinary maternity team, ensuring strong resource utilization, clinical care, and team function. The Network Coordinator will support maternity team initiatives, cultivate community and regional partnerships, and assist with sustainability efforts. By embedding these roles within rural teams, ROAM aims to strengthen provider networks, improve retention, and sustain maternity care in rural communities.

Strengthening Rural Maternity Networks

The Virtual Rural Maternity Summit, hosted in September 2024, provided a space for rural maternity teams to share their experiences, discuss local innovations, and engage in dialogue about maternity care sustainability. The summit featured rapid-fire presentations and breakout discussions covering key topics such as enhancing collaboration and team-based care, supporting rural education, training, and continuous learning, increasing access and services for Indigenous communities, and recruiting, valuing, supporting, and retaining rural maternity providers.

Beyond the summit, ROAM facilitated six additional network events throughout the year, supporting connections between rural providers and fostering peer-to-peer learning. These sessions focused on collaborative practice, the foundations of high-functioning maternity teams, relationship-building with Indigenous communities, and enhancing local leadership in preparation for the new Clinical Lead and Network Coordinator roles. These events allowed rural providers to share experiences, strengthen professional relationships, and support ongoing maternity care sustainability across BC.