Dear all, Another media release issued in Darwin....
Dr Barbara Vernon Executive Officer Australian College of Midwives Inc Ph: 02 6230 7333 MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 4 September 2003 CALL FOR NATIONAL ACTION TO AVERT MATERNITY CRISIS Maternity services are facing a crisis in the next 3 years unless there are concerted efforts to attract newcomers to the midwifery profession and to provide more rewarding work opportunities for existing midwives, a national forum of midwives in Darwin heard today. The comments came following the release last month of an Australian Health Workforce Advisory Committee (AHWAC) Report on the Midwifery Workforce, which showed that Australia has a national shortage of midwives. The report shows that in most States and Territories midwives are leaving the profession faster than new students are being trained with more than 1,800 positions currently unable to be filled. With the midwifery workforce ageing, this national shortage is expected to worsen in the next 3 years. Together with a reduction in the number of obstetricians, the decline in the midwifery workforce will force closures of maternity services and less choice for pregnant women unless the federal and state governments act promptly now. �One of the key strategies for addressing the impending crisis in maternity services from too few midwives is to provide opportunities for more satisfying and fulfilling work for midwives� said Ms Pat Brodie, Vice President of the Australian College of Midwives and one of the presenters at the Darwin conference. �Midwives graduate and are ready to fulfil their role according to the international standard, but sadly their skills are quickly lost because of lack of access to satisfying work experiences�. �The current models of care restrict and limit the scope of the midwives� practice and only serve to increase the medicalisation that is at epidemic proportions in Australia. The crisis is here now� said Ms Brodie and �midwives will not stay if they cant fulfil their role�. The crisis in professional indemnity insurance affecting both obstetricians and midwives presents a major opportunity for a new approach to maternity care that would see midwives working in partnership with women. The Darwin conference has brought together more than 400 midwives from across Australia, including practicing midwives, senior midwifery managers, educators and employers to discuss problems with the workforce and other issues facing the profession. Australian College Of Midwives Incorporated MEDIA CONTACT via: Dr Barbara Vernon Mob: 0438 855 529 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
