The Campaign Manager
I was interested to hear Mr Beazley on the 7.30 Report tonight, especially his reply to a comment by Kerry O'Brien that their was not additional funding for health and education. He made a comment that the ALP would do some careful re-prioritisation. In the area of health I totally agree. If this is the case I am disappointed at the response our organisation received from Shadow Health Minister, Jenny Macklin (in a meeting in Canberra on September 26). The Maternity Coalition is a non-profit consumer organisation concerned with improving maternity services in Australia. Chilbirth is the single most important reason for hospitalisation in this country and accounts for the greatest number of occupied bed days. Ms Macklin was non-commital in her approach. We specifically requested access for all women to choose the care they receive and promotion of midwife -led care that is heralded to be the most appropriate and cost effective care for the majority (80-85%) of women (source WHO). What disappoints me is in the last 10 years there have been at least 6 inquiries into maternity services, including the Senate Inquiry in 1999 "Rocking the Cradle" that your own Rosemary Crowley was responsible for instituting. What all of these inquiries have highlighted is that our current obstetric based model is costly and is not 'delivering' good outcomes. All the research has been done, and is continually ignored. I am well aware of the power of the medical lobby but we are talking an obscene waste of resources. Our organisation provided the media with an estimate of savings the ACT Government could make today. Based on the 3,500 women who give birth in public hospitals in Canberra $785 could be saved per birthing woman, or $2,747,500 per year. These estimates are conservative and do not take into account a reduction in the number of women being referred to post-natal support services etc that an increase in midwife care would do. Hundreds of women are involved in this campaign to ensure governments take responsible steps to reduce such unnecessary spending and through that improve outcomes for women giving birth in this country. Your action in addressing this matter could heartily improve your support. Yours sincerely Justine Caines Maternity Coalition ACT Branch -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
