for information listers ......................
Liz
Dear Ms McAlpine
I refer to your e-mail of 30 July 2001 regarding medicalisation of
childbirth. Thank you for bringing this issue to the attention of the
Office of Women's Policy.
As you may be aware, in July 2000 the Minister for Women's Affairs, the Hon
Sherryl Garbutt MP launched the Victorian Government's plan for women,
Valuing Victoria's Women: Forward Plan 2000-2003. The Plan includes a
number of initiatives in relation to maternity services, the responsibility
for which lie with the Acute Health Division, Department of Human Services.
The Acute Health Division have advised that in broad terms, the Maternity
Services Program aims to address issues around intervention through
encouraging evidence-based practice, improving continuity of care,
increasing choice, and improving access to midwifery care through new
models such as team midwifery. If you would like further information in
relation to the Maternity Services Program, the Acute Health Division can
be contacted on (03) 9616 7079.
In relation to indemnity insurance for independent midwives, advice from
the Department of Human Services is that work is progressing in this area.
The Australian Health Minister's Advisory Council (AHMAC) has a
jurisdictional working party on medical indemnity and has recently been
asked by the Australian Health Ministers Conference to extend its term of
reference to consider the issue of medical indemnity for midwives.
I trust this information has been of assistance.
Yours sincerely
Janice Watt
Acting Director
Office of Women's Policy
--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
