Dear Elizabeth, you are right. In Australia there are no Programs
that" link to the hospital". Here in W.A. the Community Program midwives
become support persons the minute they transfer into the hospital in all but one
small birthing unit. This would be the ideal, ensuring continuity of care
for the woman, but most of the time it doesnt happen.
Congratulations on all the lobbying you are doing for the midwifery
insurance crisis. As a midwife who may be forced into retirement well
before my time, Thank you. Regards, Mary Murphy
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 6:23
PM
Subject: Fw: childbirth
----- Original Message -----
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
