Dear Listers, just an update for your info.
Justine Caines and I met yesterday with the ACT Chief Minister proposing a community managed program to provide greater access to one on one midwife care to Canberra women. We argued that the program would save money, enhance the existing public sector service of one on one care offered to only 5% of Canberra women and have the advantage of drawing the skills of independent midwives into the public sector. We pushed for a program of 120 births to commence on 1 June 2002, when the PI runs out for independent midwives. The Chief Minister was positive at the meeting and reiterated an election commitment he made in September to support independent midwives being granted visiting rights to public hospitals. He indicated he will discuss our proposal further with his department and get back to us in 2 weeks. We don't for one minute imagine that a new program will be created on the strength of one meeting with the CM, but at least its another step in the process. Anyone interested in further information would be welcome to contact me. regards Barb. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
