Hi, This is definitely an interesting question. As some doulas are gathering 'registrations', and expected to wear 'uniform' and name tags, the profile and professionalism of the group is changing. Expectations of issues such as insurance will obviously be raised. Would the doula registering body be expected to hold the insurance or is it still a doula/birthing family private issue? If so, will a piece of paper (even a legally drawn up one) stand up in court?
I agree with Marilyn that it is about clarification of boundaries, but the complexity of birth is such that so much that is discussed antenatally and through the birth journey and into the early postpartum period is qualitative information, ie that which is about/around emotions and non-scientifically measurable data, that one wonders if this type of debate is even answerable. I could say the issue comes down to trust, but that won't help the institutions in attempting to place professional doulas in their system. In the area of Australia where I work assisting women to have babies, even simply working as a birth support person or friend, has ended in official complaints about quite a number of support people/friends for supporting women's choices which may challenge the obstetric opinion of the day.(And in the case that I was involved in, noone spoke for the couple, thay were very clear always that they understood the choices that they were making, there was no negative outcome, but a complaint still came my way!) This type of punitive attitude tends to quieten you as a support person - it's about good patient bad patient or good support person bad support person, and those with the 'right' attitude may survive, and those who challenge or continue to challenge will be punished - and of course 'right' attitudes means supporting the obstetric opinions, not your birthing family. There is no easy answer to any of this. Birth is a dynamic and challenging process for every woman and her support team, and it's definitely not for the feint hearted!! It will be interesting to hear what others think, Sue > Honey: > > I think you simply show up as a friend. So long as you are doing nothing > that a non-licensed care provider ie massage therapist, AIN, then you should > NOT need indemnity insurance to be present. I am sure someone will correct > me if I am wrong(Please do!!)but it is my belief that independent midwives > who prior to the insurance debacle had hospital privileges no longer have > them BECAUSE they do not have PI cover.This is required of all professional > birth attendants be they midwives or doctors if they are not employees of > the hospital. So, when we follow a woman into hospital (whether as a > transfer or as the intended birth place) then we continue care ONLY as > labour support (friend) ie not as a professional midwife. It is quite > possible this private hospital thinks the "doula" is something she isn't. Do > remember you status is as a non-licensedcare provider and you can find the > limits of this on the Queensland Nursing Council website. I only know this > because as a direct entry midwife it is the only way I can legally care for > non-maternity patients in a Qld Hospital. I think the hospital will probably > have a policy on non-licensed care providers somewhere in one of their > manuals. You could ask to see this. > > I do think you need to be very clear on your boundaries and so does your > client. In other words you cannot speak for your client only she and her > partner can do that. > > marilyn > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Honey Acharya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 6:12 AM > Subject: [ozmidwifery] Legal Advice > > >> Can anyone point me in the right direction. I guess I am looking for a >> solicitor or someone that is able to give a legal opinion on the Doula >> agreement I have with clients. One of the Private hospitals here has > issues >> with Doulas working there, I assume it is from fear of being sued and the >> hospital being liable. I tried to contact Jo Morrisey who lectures at > James >> Cook Uni on Health Care and the law but he is on long service leave. >> They have written me a letter requiring my "professional Credentials and >> evidence that I have Indemnity insurance in the sum of $10m for any one >> claim and up to $20m in the aggregate per annum. I am not permitted to >> perform services of a professional nature at the hospital until these > issues >> have been addressed." I don't provide advice or opinions or perform any >> clinical or medical tasks and basically work in the same role as a mother > or >> sister or friend would support a woman at their hospital. The only real >> difference is I have a contract agreement with the woman and I receive >> payment for the service. >> >> I know Doulas work in Priavate hospitals without there being any issues in >> other parts of Australia. And what do independant midwives do about > working >> at private Hospitals. I am pretty sure when I birthed at Royal Women's >> hospital in randwick a year ago that Independant midwives were able to > work >> there with clients who hired them and wished to use the birthing centre. > And >> Midiwives can't get insurance so what do the hospitals do in that > situation? >> >> Please excuse me if this is not well written but I have been typing up >> letters to the editor and media releases pushing for better maternity >> services with one on one midwifery care for the last few hours and brain > is >> definately tiring. >> >> thanks in advance >> Honey >> >> >> -- >> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. >> Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. >> > > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
