Dear ozmidwives, and interested consumer activists Has anyone explored a personal PI insurance arrangement, where a midwife buys insurance as an individual? What is available? What terms? What cost?
I am wanting to pursue this line of inquiry myself, and would appreciate any help from colleagues who have already gone into it. With the recent changes to Victoria's Nurses Act, giving the Board discretionary power to require us to demonstrate that we have insurance, it's only a matter of time before midwives who continue to attend homebirths come under the spotlight. If no insurance is interpreted as 'unprofessional conduct', which is a possibility (imo), midwives attending homebirths could be up for investigation and discipline. I don't believe this would stop homebirth, but it would certainly force it underground. This is not in the public interest. I believe that if the Nurses Boards and other regulatory authorities around Australia are truly committed to protecting the public, they will actively seek to protect the right of the woman to access a known midwife to attend birth in any setting, in a way that is consistent with the ICM Definition of the Midwife. Surely this is best practice. I look forward to your responses, and will keep you informed of the results of my inquiries. Joy Johnston 25 Eley Rd Blackburn South Vic 3130 Tel: 03 9808 9614 Fax: 03 9808 3611 M: 04111 90448 www.aitex.com.au/joy.htm -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
