What do I do as an MC member (actually WA State President, but that's
by-the-by)? Well, for starters, I do the following (and more besides):
I help out individual women with questions about maternity care in
WA. Perhaps they want to know where they can get a waterbirth (answer:
virtually nowhere in WA public hospitals), so I can tell them what the
situation is. I can point them in the right directions to independent
midwives, support groups etc.
I sit on a number of committees: the Community Midwifery Programme
Steering Committee, the Exec Committee of the WA Branch of ACM, and a
Working Party for implementing a BMid at a local university.
I recently was part of a workshop canvassing comment on the new
draft consultation document on maternity services ("Future Directions") and
submitted a written submission on the same document. I also met with Dept
of Health personnel on the same subject.
I keep an eye on local and national newspapers and write comments
where I believe maternity services (and midwifery-led care in particular)
need a balanced comment.
Yes - I do lobby (sometimes), and I do advocate (sometimes), and a whole
load of things beside. I may march on parliament if needs be, and we do
meet regularly with MP's. What I do, do is to try and represent the women
and men who come to me, and call for midwifery-led care as the
normal/default model for maternity services.
Maternity Coalition also provides prenatal information sessions "Choices for
Childbirth", although not in WA.
MC is much more than a lobbying organization (or an advocacy service). We
represent consumers and are an umbrella organization for local groups. For
those of you who know the National Childbirth Trust in the UK, there are
many similarities between MC and the NCT in their fledgling years ....
MC are always looking for people to support their work - why not join? Oh
- by the way - I'm the national membership secretary so all you need to do
is contact me :-)
Debbie Slater
Perth, Wa
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lisa Barrett
Sent: Friday, 2 March 2007 6:13 AM
To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition
Like a said Jo, It's something I read and I wondered what it meant in terms
of women.
I suppose the difference between the two definitions to me is that one is
directly involved with the women on a individual basis to get their opinion
noted and their needs addressed.
and the other is involved with changing political policy but doesn't involve
individuals and their difficulties but is trying over all to change for the
common good.
I was just asking. Can a woman come to the MC one an individual basis and
get help from to address her individual difficulties with the system. Which
is what consumer advocacy implies to me. Or is it you take each case and
put them together to lobby public opinion and government for change which is
totally different. Or is it both.
I field calls from many people with problems in the system looking for help.
I do give strategies and advice but some woman aren't able to get what they
want alone it would be nice to know that I could refer them on to a group
that could get involved. Often they don't actually want an independent
midwife but just general help. Although I do the best I can I'm one person.
I didn't think the maternity coalition did that sort of thing. If they do
I'll start suggesting women get in touch.
Lisa Barrett
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