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[Tony Payne]

Hi everybody   Well, either we've just made complete dickheads of ourselves or me got some sort of message across about birth in this country!!  THe Mothers and Midwives for Change rally took place today at the launching of the Vic Women's Health Plan and although all the media were there and took heaps of footage, unfortunately no interview.  However I did send the following press release to them all (print and tv) so hopefully something will get across. Now is the time to be poised with pens and write letters.  For those of you who could only be there is spirit, please now support with letters to newspapers and let me know if anything gets published so we can keep tabs on it. thanks to all for supporting -rob payne MOTHERS & MIDWIVES RALLY FOR CHANGE THIS THURSDAY 26TH AUGUST (coinciding with Mr Kennett’s launching of the Victorian Women’s Health Plan) 12.00 AM SHARP ALBERT STREET ENTRANCE DALLAS BROOKS HALL WHY ARE WE RALLYING? AUSTRALIA CONTINUES TO HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF BIRTH INTERVENTION IN THE WORLD WITH NO CORRESPONDING IMPROVEMENTS IN MORTALITY FOR MOTHER AND BABY NEARLY 1 IN 4 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN WILL GIVE BIRTH BY MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY LACK OF POST NATAL SUPPORT FOR NEW MOTHERS MOTHERS HAVE HAD LITTLE SAY IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF MATERNITY SERVICES AND THE MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH SERVICE $61 MILLION IN TAXPAYERS MONEY ALREADY BEING SPENT ON THE MATERNITY SERVICES ENHANCEMENT STRATEGY - BUT WHERE’S IT ALL GOING? NO ACCOUNTABILITY. WOMEN MAY LOSE OUT AGAIN!!! The Maternity Coalition recognises that there have been some good initiatives developed from this strategy however more equitable and far reaching change is necessary A YEAR INTO THE STRATEGY AND NOTHING IS REALLY CHANGING Midwives working in the wards are saying that the money is often being spent merely in making up the budget deficit in maternity units. Or its being spent inappropriately New mothers are being sent home too early with infections, breast feeding problems and no adequate follow up care The one promised post natal visit isn’t an adequate answer to their problems. Its just not enough. WHAT DO WE WANT? WE ARE LAUNCHING THE VICTORIAN MATERNITY CAMPAIGN The right to choose a midwife as primary caregiver within the public or private system The right to choose care either in hospital or in the community The right to have care from a known midwife during pregnancy birth and early parenting Contact Maternity Coalition Inc. Robin Payne 9380 2863 or Kerreen Reiger 9439 7852