[ozmidwifery] Community meeting

[Darren Sunn]

On the Weekend up here in Queensland we had a Community Cabinet Meeting with the Premier and other Ministers (including the Health Minister and her side kick Lindy Nelson-Carr)   Our inspired Birth campaigner Deidrie Cullen organised a group of us to appear at the meeting where we held a formal deputation with Lindy Nelson-Carr.   Deidrie and Ingar managed to corner Wendy Edmunds the Health Minister and chew her ear about the NMAP. Later the Ladies sat down in front of Peter Beatie (our Premier) and with some enthusiastic fist pounding on the table managed to let him know what women want regarding Maternity services.    Then we sat down at a table for our deputation with Lindy (sidekick to Wendy the Health minister) and promote our points of view regarding the NMAP.   Some interesting points came out of our meeting with Lindy, while Peter and Wendy regurgitated the usual rhetoric "we understand you concerns and we have forwarded this to the federal level for consideration ...Blah blah blah....."" Lindy started in the same vein......When we questioned what the commonwealth's response was ..she advised that "they" weren't going to do anything.....   I asked if she believed that our cause and wants were valid? To which Lindy responded that even though she believed we had a valid case, it was unlikely that Qld was going to do anything more then a standard "review" of the present situation,  What she called " scopping".. We as stakeholders would be able to participate in the review but also Obstetricians etc..etc..(and they are very powerful..she acknowledged).   They advised us that the only reason we in Qld have a birthing centre is that there is a couple/few number of Doctors willing to back up such a project.   I asked if policy implementation would enable change/increase in birth centres and the use of midwives as our primary caregivers, and the response was "unlikely/too hard".   It seems unless OBs back the Choice of Midwives as primary caregivers, then it will be difficult for it to succeed in Qld.(This, as far as I can understand is that high risk and transfer would require OBs to endorse their services, and if unwilling then you negate the Choice).    We were advised to petition OBs in order to gain our goals of choice.(ironic)   I hope that a cultural shift may occur or that success in other states may lead to pressure for Qld Health to change their position on this issue.     regards,   Darren