Dear Macha Good on you for becoming politically active.
I think you will find the National Maternity Action Plan has some useful ideas on both what and how you can lobby for publicly funded midwife-led care for local pregnant and birthing women. It is being developed by a consortium of national consumer and mdiwifery organsiations. It will be available next week in a 'capital D' Draft form for public comment and discussion. I'll be posting the web address for the Plan to the ozmid list. I'd be happy to talk to you direct if you're interested in discussing the strategic concepts and practical proposals put forward in the Plan. regards Barb President Maternity Coalition. > From: "Macha McDonald" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2002 17:47:17 +1100 > To: "ozmidwifery" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: what can I advise? > > I've recently become a member of a local political party, who lobby the > state and federal governemts about local issues...quite successfully. Since > January, there has been no obstetric services in this town, and women are > forced to drive at least half an hour away to have their babies. I brought > this issue up at tonight's meeting, and everyone agreed that we need to do > something about it. But, if we are going to do something about it, we need > to lobby for the right kind of care, instead of just an OB. I wandered if > you guys could give me a hand as to what I can suggest to the group to lobby > for. Birthing room, midwifery based care? maybe an independent midwife? I > don't know, so I thought you guys could help me. There are midwifes who > see pregnant women here, but ppl have to travel to give birth. When there > were OB services here, if you wanted early release from the hospital, it was > given against medical advice. I think there is an OB here, but is tossing > up whether or not he will practise because of the insurance issues. > > Regards, Macha > > PS I didn't realise your agencies provided so many services. Maybe they > are a good idea in some cases, but I still think that money should not be > spent unnecessarily and it should be reinvested into the hospital. They > need all they can get. > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
