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Thursday 30 May 2002 Solution
to Maternity Indemnity Crisis The Maternity Coalition calls on the federal government to implement a
real solution to indemnity for all maternity health professionals and
particularly to acknowledge the evidence on the most effective care for the
majority of healthy, pregnant, Australian women, the care of a known
midwife. Risk
is the key issue. If the Government
is serious about resolving this crisis and reducing their indemnity risk then
they must implement more midwife care.
�In Australia, fewer than 1%
of women can currently access one-to-one continuity of care from a midwife in
the public health system and only in specific locations in WA, SA and the
ACT.�
Said Justine Caines There have been very few cases of litigation against midwives. It is known that when women are
supported by midwives and take responsibility for their own care that they are
far less likely to sue if an adverse outcome arises. Midwife-led care has been
proven to result in fewer obstetric interventions to achieve safe childbirth;
the fewer interventions the lower the risk. �The majority of midwives that provide this care will not have insurance
cover after tomorrow. Health
Minister, Kay Patterson has not taken the plight of midwives seriously. Her actions show contempt for
international best practice and the rights of women to access this care.� Said
Justine Caines. The Maternity Coalition demands that independent midwives be treated as
all other health professionals and have access to the government rescue package
and that their legal and professional status as autonomous maternity providers
be recognised. �Over the last 15 years most states and territories have had enquiries
into maternity services, they have all found a need to increase midwife care and
yet little if any recommendations have been acted upon� said Maternity Coalition spokesperson,
Justine Caines. �It is ludicrous that when the country faces an indemnity crisis that
includes maternity that there has not been an acknowledgement of midwife care
that has been proven the most cost effective and appropriate by the World Health
Organisation for the vast majority of women (80%).� Said Justine
Caines The Maternity Coalition is a national, not for profit organization, of
consumers and midwives seeking to improve maternity services in Australia and to
enable women to choose the care of a known midwife. Media Contact: Justine Caines (02) 6238 1041, 0408
210273
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