Well said Cath,
As a mother with a young family, and being the main income support for my family, there is no way that I could afford to lose everything (possessing little in the way of assests, I would) and I also could not afford to hb full time. However if with insurance more midwives were happy to do at least a few births or provide antenatal and postnatal care, perhaps the profile of midwives as professionals would increase in the publics perception of good birthing care.
 
I believe that it is also foolish to believe that a client would be unlikely to sue, even the most enthusiastic homebirther may find her mind change when faced with the long term cost of raising a child with special needs. I have been involved in a case with a highly educated and motivated couple who had a baby with cerebal palsy (no birth complications except for a flat baby), this case has been ongoing for several years now, and I don't see how anyone would survive the financial cost of either a just or unjust case. And yes - no fault system such as the ones in NZ or the trust system in the UK are both preferrable alternatives.
 
I agree that I would prefer that the college should take on insurance for it's members, and would happily support it's investigation of this  or any other offer. With the greater numbers of members a reasonable deal may be able to be negotiated.
 
Meg
----- Original Message -----
From: cath nolan
Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 7:54 PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] re . insurance for midwives

As always, well said Justine. I feel that insurance being offered is a very positive move for midwifery in Australia. I know of several midwives who would be more willing to work outside of the hospital if they had insurance, and personally speaking I would welcome cover with open arms. As Andrea says, we don't all have the ability to have no assets, and why should we? I work in an area where homebirth is virtually unheard of. If I didn't work in the hospital I would not have an income.I would love that to change but kids, house etc require certain income, and in reality I can't see a full time midwifery practise in demand in this area in the near future.I am damn sure I am not alone. Lets look at this offer of some professional protection and embrace the positive side effects that it will bring if it comes to fruition. By all means we need to examine the policy but not shoot it down before it is offered.
 
Cath

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