Dear List,
As a hospital-based midwife and a consumer of private midwifery services in
the past, I have been interested in the discussions regarding insurance for
midwives in private practice.
One point is unclear to me...I am wondering what the problem is with
insurance provided through ANF? Is it a philosophical concern about
midwives being members of a nursing organisation, or are there other issues
regarding this insurance? If so, what would they be?
I read that some (Joy, I think)have only insurance through ANF, and wonder
why these midwives consider it to be suitable and others don't.
Another thought that comes to mind is does anyone know what ANF's position
on Batchelor of Midwifery graduates will be? I know that ANF is not in
favour of direct entry midwifery, but will B.Mid midwives be accepted for
membership of ANF, not being nurses? I would imagine that some B.Mid grads
will end up working in hospitals or other health care services, and wonder
where they will get industrial representation?
Is this something that ACMI is ever likely to take on, so that we can all
drop our membership of a nurses organisation?
The problems faced by midwives in private practice is an issue that all
midwives should be concerned about, but many hospital midwives don't see it
as affecting them in any way. I get really frustrated by the midwives where
I work who spout off all the time about how much better off our clients
would be with a midwives clinic, and how we should be able to have
midwife-managed care for selected women, but then when they become pregnant
themselves, its straight off to the private obs/private hospital package.
If we can't support ourselves and present a unified campaign, we're never
going to achieve government and community recognition for midwives as care
providers.
But I guess I'm preaching to the converted here!
Katrina.
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