----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2001 12:41
PM
Subject: Public Interest Advocacy
In March this year the Public Interest
Advocacy Centre held a forum on the issue of Obstetric Insurance. I
expect they would be very interested to have all correspondence on the matter
of Midwives Insurance forwarded to them so they can assist towards finding a
solution to the dilemma.
Please forward your comments letters and
information to:
or mail to level 1 46 York St Sydney
2000
or phone. (02) 9299 7855
Info on their flyer in March to publicise
their forum held at Parliament House was as follows:
A recent campaign in the media has claimed that too many
people sue doctors and the courts award them too much money. The truth
is that only a small proportion of people who suffer medical accidents
sue. What patients want is prevention of medical errors and a better
understanding of the risks of treatment.
Instead doctors are being encouraged to adopt defensive
practices. For example people are being subjected to unnecessary medical tests
and more invasive procedures such as caesareans. Doctor's groups and insurers
are using claims about the cost of insurance to pressure the NSW Government to
limit the compensation paid to people who sue their doctors. As part of
the campaign obstetricians in country areas have threatened to withdraw their
services leaving pregnant mothers without adequate care. The focus is on
blaming patients rather than finding a solution. Health care
consumer groups believe that the patient perspective has not been heard.
Come to a forum to discuss these issues, and how doctors and patients rather
than finding a solution. Wed 7th March 01.
Although the above is old news they may still be an
appropriate source of support in our current crisis.
hug to all
Julie
