Women's experiences of maternity care during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia

In this, the Year of the Midwife and the Nurse, we have again been reminded of the value of quality health care. Health and access to health care are basic human rights, and as the start of 2020 has demonstrated, health care systems around the globe have been challenged by the unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 virus. The pandemic has exposed shortfalls of our health care systems but also highlighted the generally unspoken value of health care professionals. Frontline health care workers have not only stepped up to the challenge but have risked their lives in doing so; sadly, many have fallen victim to the virus as a result of their commitment and dedication to health and wellbeing of others.