Dear list
yesterday the Vic premier announced a State election.
yesterday another campaign was also launched - the VICTORIAN MIDWIFERY
CAMPAIGN
you are among the first to hear about it. Could I ask all Victorians to
watch this space, and contribute and work with this initiative. ALSO,
perhaps other State groups of midwives and consumers will consider forming
similar cooperative groups to make the campaign nation-wide. Hear are a few
details of this campaign:
<Following concerns expressed at a Public Forum held in Melbourne 5 August,
the Victorian Midwifery Campaign has been launched by the Maternity
Coalition and the Australian College of Midwives, Victorian Branch, together
with other consumer and professional groups.
Our major goal is to achieve for all women the right to choose a midwife as
their primary caregiver within the health system (public or private). This
care may occur in the community or a hospital.
In spite of some positive initiatives under the current Maternity Services
Enhancement Strategy, we believe more equitable and far reaching changes are
required. Women throughout Victoria should have the opportunity to choose
to have a known midwife provide care during pregnancy, birth, and early
parenting. The current health funding system prevents most women from being
attended by a known midwife. Most women receive prenatal care from doctors,
whose services are covered by Medicare. These doctors do not stay with
women in labour, when they are most in need of a trusted professional who
provides care that is centred on their individual needs. Midwives are the
appropriate carers for well women, the majority of women in pregnancy and
birth. Secondary medical care should be engaged only when illness
complicates the birth process.>
We are preparing letters to politicians and candidates, press releases, and
other strategies.
This is evidence that midwives and consumers are working together to achieve
reform in childbirth.
Joy Johnston
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