Dear Bronni It's great to hear of your meeting in Healesville. I'll have a go at answering your questions. Although I am a member of the Board (I think I'm the only one on this list), I am also finding the whole PI insurance issue very difficult. The Victorian Nurses Act 1993 has recently been amended, and the amendments have come into effect 1 Nov. The new section 5 (3) (d) states: [The Board] "may require the applicant [for registration] to provide evidence that the applicant is or will be covered by professional indemnity insurance that meets the minimum terms and conditions set out in guidelines of the Board."
Does this mean the Board can deregister someone (ie an independent midwife) who is not insured? It probably does. I have been assured that it's a DISCRETIONARY power - but even that doesn't make me feel very comfortable. It will probably begin to take effect as people apply for endorsement as Nurse Practitioners, if they want to work outside the hospital system. (for those in other places, the NP endorsement will enable a person to have extended practices - prescribe, order tests, refer to specialists.) I believe we need to get insurance. ACMI members would have received a discussion paper and ballot to return, so that we can choose option 1 or option 2. I and other independent midwives look forward to resolution of that issue, as it's the only insurance on offer at the moment. I hope AHMAC (health ministers advisory c'tee) under whatever new government gets up on Saturday will set up a system of no-fault insurance similar to what's done in NZ. I see no future with spiralling costs for insurance. Doctors who belong to the Medical Defence Association of Victoria (an insurer) have already been told: "Warning to members in obstetric shared care. Members should be aware of the recent decision of Guild Insurance to withdraw the provision of indemnity to midwives. This may spell the end to midwife-supervised home deliveries as a choice for the community." The statement goes on to warn members against working with uninsured midwives! (Medical Defence Update newsletter, Winter 2001) Consumers and midwives need to consider what this means, and keep on working together to resolve the PI crisis. Joy Johnston -----Original Message----- From: Steve & Bronni McGrath [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2001 2:03 PM To: list Subject: Nurses Board of Vic << File: ATT00006.htm >> i spoke recently at a community forum in Healesviile where local hopefuls for the up coming election had been invited to hear what we really think about some gritty issues ( minus the Liberal candidate who was unable to attend or send someone in her place ). As a result Jim Romagnesi ( Greens ) forwarded me their recent press release on backing for midwives which included this paragraph: > The Greens Victoria have thrown their weight behind the states midwives > following the ongoing crisis with professional indemnity insurance and the > recent announcement from the Nurses Board of Victoria that they will have > discretionary legislative powers from November to deregister any nurse or > midwife who practices without adequate professional indemnity insurance. could some kind person please inform me as to what this actually means and is this just recent and how come as a registered nurse i have not been informed by the NBV? i'm feeling a little scared but i sense that this may be sensationalism of legal wording ( i hope) thanks to you all Bronni McGrath Mum, Midwife and Supporter -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
