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29�th May 2001����������������������������������������������������������� Roslyn Donnellan � Fernandez ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 Mulga Road Jenny Macklin���������������������������������������� ����������������������HAWTHORNDENE 5051 Federal Shadow Health Minister ALP Dear Jenny WOMEN AND BIRTH MATTERS Please find enclosed some briefing materials on current maternity issues from groups such as: AMALG� (Australian Midwives Act Lobby Group) Maternity Coalition� (National Consumer Consortium) AMAP� (Australian Midwifery Action Project) For your interest / information, I have also enclosed a recently published paper on my personal view and experience of midwifery practice in Australia. The woman and midwives of Australia are mobilising for change in the way maternity services are funded and organized in this country. The Federal Senate Inquiry Into Childbirth Procedures (Rocking The Cradle 1999) followed a decade of state and national reports recommending change in childbirth options for women in this country. These reports continue to gather dust on forgotten shelves, and outcomes and care options for indigenous women and babies remain a national disgrace. I would appreciate an outline of specific ALP initiatives, policy and action in relation to the issues of: *� Reform to maternity funding that enables all Australian women access, equity and ��� choice of midwifery led care in the public and private sectors; *� Funding and legislative initiatives that address national midwifery education and ��� labourforce requirements. (MIDWIFERY entails a discrete practice and is a ���
profession recognized by the World Health Organization as providing the ��
SAFEST, MOST COST EFFECTIVE CARE FOR THE MAJORITY �� of� pregnant women and their babies. Inclusion and consideration of midwifery �� with �nursing issues� is confusing and inappropriate); *� Childbirth outcomes, care options, and educational opportunities for persons of� ��� aboriginal and Torres Strait Island origin to undertake midwifery studies. Looking forward to your response and policy statements. Yours sincerely Roslyn Donnellan - Fernandez |
Title: 29�th May 2001
Roslyn Donnellan � Fernandez
