Dear Vic Ozmid listers I am forwarding an email from another list about efforts to try to stop the threatened closure of Moorabin Birth Centre to seek more supporters! Denise hynd
----- Original Message ----- From: "Johnston" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Moorabbin Birth Centre A group of mothers, children, a dad, midwives and the local MP met for a photo outside the Southern Health Moorabbin campus thismorning. The Leader Press will be running more articles as long as it’s an issue. There was a clear message from the mothers who showed up that they want assurance that the birth centre as a unit (and not as a couple of rooms with double beds in a high-tech unit) is retained. Other women who were waiting for prenatal checks at the BC were also interested, and concerned about what was going to happen to them personally. Rob Hudson MP is State Member for Bentleigh, and is a member of the Labor Party. He is very interested in the issues around women’s choice and midwifery care. He gave us good reason to believe his sincerity as he and his wife have had 2 children born at home. Rob took many notes of the concerns of mothers and midwives, and has committed to speaking with the Health Minister, and with Syd Allen at Southern Health. Rebel Lorenz who is the BC project leader will keep Rob informed. At the same time as we were meeting in the lounge area of the BC I had a chat with Kim Sykes and Professor Michael Wilson from Southern Health. They had come to the campus to speak with the midwives. I stressed to them, and I think I was heard, that they need to understand the difference between primary care and specialist care. I believe that the location of the BC is not important as long as it is clear in the minds of the woman and midwife (and the service) that if complications arise they need to access medical support. There is no evidence to suggest that women and babies have fewer complications if they are required to give birth within a high-tech obstetric unit. There are many complex issues being sorted out here. Southern Health needs to manage its facilities well, and have services in place that meet the needs of the community it serves. The Maternity Coalition supports women being able to choose the type of service that is right for them, from a range of appropriate evidence based and affordable options. Birth Centres come within the scope of recognised midwifery models of primary care and should be able to be done in a way that is cost neutral. This option should be maintained and improved. We support the concept of midwives managing their own caseloads, ensuring that the woman is attended by a known midwife no matter where she gives birth, and whether or not she needs specialist services. We support collaboration between midwives and specialist doctors and nurses when required, in order to obtain optimal care for each woman and baby. Birth is not an illness, and women should not be required to act as though they are ill when they birth their babies. If anyone who receives this message would like to be part of the activism surrounding the relocation/closure of the MBC, you can request an invitation to the yahoo group. We have plans to release a news sheet that can be printed off and distributed in hard copy, especially for those who don’t have email. It’s all about working together to for better maternity services. It’s a very worth while cause. Joy Johnston --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.501 / Virus Database: 299 - Release Date: 14/07/2003 To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://au.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
