Fw: childbirth

[Elizabeth McAlpine]

Title: Dear Senator Crowley,

----- Original Message ----- From: Elizabeth McAlpine To: Beazley, Kim (MP) Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 2:21 PM Subject: Re: childbirth Dear Mr. Beazley,   I thank you for replying to my letter regarding childbirth and I downloaded the 'Ensuring Safe and Dependable Medicine, Labor's plan to reform medical indemnity insurance.     My response went through the ALP website, but I think its far better if I also respond to you directly.   In that response, I queried the statement of 'expansion of community based home birth programs linked to public hospitals and birthing'  because, as far as I am aware, its just not done.   I am seeking total childbirth reform, following the Dutch and the New Zealand governments.   The Dutch model of maternity care is exemplary in that there is total support from the national government, no competition amongst providers of maternity care, no tradition of litigation in Holland, but a social system which provides fully for disability, and a review board which acknowledges mistakes/mismanagement and satisfies the complainant, which I believe also extends to all medical care.   A highly ethical approach which brings out the best in both the professional care givers and the community as a whole.   Medical and midwifery indemnity will continue to be of major concern of government, unless action is taken which resolves the insurance issue once and for all.   I'm returning to Melbourne from Abu Dhabi at the end of September, and it is my ambition to assist the ALP in its goal of nationalizing childbirth reform.   Labour with Labor and empower women - vote Labor.   yours sincerely, Elizabeth McAlpine