On Saturday, June 29, 2002, at 09:40 AM, joy wrote:
Dear all
Thankyou for the many supportive messages I have received sinceThursday.
I think all who are concerned about the ability of midwives to practise in the current dreadful situation, without any ability to buy PII, should write:
�������To thestate/territoryMinister for Health, asking for an assurance that NO midwife will be penalised for practising without insurance
������� Also asking for him/her to inform you what action is being takenby their departmenttoaddress the insurance crisis as it affects midwives and women who they attend
������� And to the Nurses Board in your State, asking that they take action to safeguard the public by protecting the right of the woman to give birth in her home, and the right of the midwife to attend her.
�������And ask the Nurses Boardto informyou what action they are taking on the matter.
�������And copy your letters to the federal Minister for Health, the Australian College of Midwives, and the Maternity Coalition.
The replies will probably be standard, and unsatisfactory.� That's what I've received.� But we must keep pressure on the bodies that have been established by our governmentsto protect and safeguard the public!�
Once you receive a reply you can respond to that.� If a group is able to mount a public media campaign, do some careful planning first.� You need to be able to take the lead, and to have a clear message, know who's going to talk and what they need to say.� Otherwise the press, in an effort to present a balanced view, is very likely to call in opposing experts who have oodles of resources and experience, who will make you look very smalland impotent.
Midwife primary care, which is what independent midwives do, is best practice.� Best evidence supports both a midwife as the lead maternity carer, and the right of all women at low risk of complications to plan homebirth.� Any model of care that does not offer those options is less than best.�
Best wishes
Joy Johnston
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