Pasted below is a media release from Minister Abbott (released today)
To my mind this is a very backward step that can enable RN’s without midwifery training to provide antenatal care. It is also fundamentally flawed as it requires a Dr to oversee care.
If a GP is required to be a proceduralist Ob then there will be no new services and rural women will remain in the same dire state they are in
If the GP is not required to be a GP/Ob then this is VERY dangerous.
Also the use of RN's who do not have midwifery training is again dangerous and totally undermining of midwifery.
Using a midwife to do an antenatal check under a GP or Ob gives Drs a perfect avenue to continue to control whilst utilising midwifery in a totally inappropriate way and maximising the handmaiden role.
The Minister's office and Fed DOH have done this with no consultation with the College.
I think we need to be positive of the recognition of rural maternity services being in crisis but be very clear that the Minister's initial approach is full of holes and make it clear that rural women/midwives have provided the solution to the Minister and he has not listened.
I suggest that we all respond to our local media highlighting that this measure is unworkable.
Where’s the choice for the woman, why not the midwife throughout?
So get on to talkback radio and drum this up as an issue, because that’s the only way we’ll make change
JC
Xx
(just got the twins to sleep ahhhhhhh!!)
MEDIA RELEASE
Minister for Health and Ageing
Tony Abbott MHR
9 January 2006
NEW MEDICARE ITEM FOR NURSES TO PROVIDE ANTENATAL CHECKS IN RURAL AREAS
The Commonwealth Government today announced that it will introduce a new Medicare item to fund antenatal checks by nurses, midwives and registered Aboriginal Health Workers in rural and remote Australia.
This will mean that qualified nurses, midwives and registered Aboriginal Health Workers will be able to deliver services rebated through Medicare when providing antenatal checks to pregnant women on behalf of a GP or specialist.
The government is determined to make the best use of the existing medical workforce to provide people in rural areas with better health care services.
Most rural and remote health services rely on a variety of primary health care staff in the delivery of maternal health care. Establishing a new Medicare item for rural nurses, midwives and Aboriginal Health Workers is recognition of the care they provide and a further sign of the government’s commitment to making the best possible use of the rural health workforce.
Details of the new Medicare item will be developed in consultation with members of the profession and will be introduced within the next six months. It is expected that the rebate will be about $18 and that this measure will cost about to $5 million a year.
Media contact: Kate Miranda, Office of Tony Abbott, 0417 425 227
