The future of Aust Midwives Caring for Birthing Women Matters
Hello All I just wanted to know, before I actually send it, if you think it's alright, or should I redo it so it's more professional ? Can I have your feedback please ? All comments, suggestions and ideas welcome :-) Especially with the last bit Here's how to fix it ... warm regards, Julie Clarke Dear Federal Politicians, This is the first time I have ever written a letter to politicians ! I have been moved to write about the shameful disgrace of a maternity care system we are currently offering to maternity consumers. I am a proud Australian, but I am saddened, ashamed and dissappointed by our current maternity health care system. It's dreadful and getting worse fast! The logical choices for maternity consumers which are available in other countries are not available here in Australia. The Netherlands and New Zealand and England offer normal options and choices for women and also provide a suitably supportive system for midwives to enable them to fully act out their role as providers of safe maternity family centered health care for women and their families. You may ask Who Cares ? and you may be quite surprised by the huge number of people who do care, really care. Especially when it comes to their turn to use the current system. Ever wondered why there is so much negativity around childbirth ? After more than a decade in the field I can confidently say much of it is the lack of emotional support and sensitivity available in the current over medicalised system. Our cesarean section (birth by major abdominal surgery) rate is scandalous ! The future of Australian Midwives caring for birthing women matters to all families. I teach preparation for Birth and Parenting Classes at a very large teaching hospital in Sydney and as such I am constantly in touch with expectant couples who are very dissappointed at their lack of appropriate care and choices when making their decisions about who should care for them and in which setting during their pregnancy, labour, birth and during the early newborn period. Many complain to me about the current system, that they became aware far too late in their pregnancy, that they have been herded like sheep by General Practitioners to be referred to Obstetricians. In my estimation 90% of the Obstetricians provide over medicalised care that is appropriate only for 15% of the population (high risk) pregnant women. It is through biased information, fear and medical dominance that expectant couples accidentally find themselves booked into a privatised system which does not support them appropriately or sensitively. This is also an expensive mistake for our health budget with money being wasted so unnecessarily. Midwives are the appropriate choice for 85% of pregnant (low risk) women. This is not only far more cost effective but evidence shows it is safer. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that fact in all reports on Maternity Care. Australian State Dept of Health Ministerial Reports have also highlighted the fact that Midwifery Models of Care should be standard choices for maternity consumers at all Maternity Hospitals. The truth is not all hospitals have embraced this as practice. Some hospitals have limited places for women on midwifery programmes. Many programmes are not promoted so consumers don't even know they exist. And while some hospitals commence a midwifery programme next thing you know the funding has dried up ! You want to know why ? Because the greedy medical dominance element darn well got to it that's why ! The recent Senate enquiry highlighted this fact and we in the birthing education community have known it for a long time and yet still we see decisions being made which is directly against the best interests of women and their families in Australia today. Women's choices have been eroded to a disgraceful extent with the recent move by Guild insurance to decline covering midwives. This is a discriminatory action with no evidence to back it up at all. The current system is a disgrace. Here's how to fix it: (a) adopt a policy to increase the medicare levy to strengthen the public hospital system and inject much needed funds back into a system that is the most suitable system for Australia. Privatisation is not. (b) adopt a maternity health care system which supports midwives as the primary caregiver based on the NZ model. You will find an overwhelming level of support if you do. Just keep in mind that families count as lots and lots of votes and a few medicos don't. Yours Sincerely Julie Clarke
Press release Re IPM crisis from the NSW Midwives Association
Dear all I have pasted below a press release from the NSW Midwives Association regarding the IMP crisis. I think the more of us that are goaded into action the better on this one. Please feel free to use it in your own lobbying so we make this issue unable to be ignored! Good luck everyone. regards Hannah Dahlen Secretary NSW Midwives Association Press Release from NSW Midwives Association Midwives become an endangered profession The recent decision by Guild Insurance not to renew professional indemnity insurance for midwives has pushed the autonomous profession of midwifery to the brink of extinction. Around 80 independent midwives across Australia are being told one by one, as their policies run out, that they will no longer be insured. Midwives are being forced to tell pregnant women due to give birth that they will have to make alternative arrangements. This affects all women choosing the care of an independent midwife. The right for women to choose their care provider and place of birth is now effectively being curtailed. Hospitals will not allow independent midwives to care for women in their units without indemnity. The profession of midwifery (and women¹s right to choose midwives) is rapidly becoming endangered. The World Health Organisation states that, the midwife appears to be the most appropriate and cost effective type of health care provider to be assigned to the care of normal pregnancy and normal birth, including risk assessment and the recognition of complications. All research conducted into midwifery care has demonstrated that women experience low rates of intervention, excellent outcomes, and are more satisfied than with other forms of mainstream maternity care. In the five European countries with the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, midwives preside at more than 70 percent of all births. Every state and federal government report into maternity care in the last 12 years has supported the expansion of midwifery as a profession and recognised women¹s rights to chose their care provider and place of birth. Have these all been wasted words and hollow promises? There is no evidence that midwifery is a highly litigious area¹ as stated by Mr Brown, General Manager of Guild Insurance. The closed shop attitude and lack of public accountability by insurance companies means no one knows what the rate of litigation is or who is being sued. Even the recent Senate Inquiry Into Childbirth Procedures (1999) could get no answers. The shortage of midwives and nurses in this country has recently reached crisis point. This latest eradication of choice, access and freedom to practise midwifery threatens the livelihood of many dedicated midwives who have remained loyal to women¹s¹ expressed needs. This is a human rights issue and women¹s right to choose their place of birth and care provider is being blatantly denied. Something must be done now! New programs of government funding for midwifery care that include indemnity insurance must be introduced in Australia-NOW! Interviews with midwives and women accessing independent midwifery services can be arranged For interview please call the NSW Midwives Association (02) 92819522 or Hannah Dahlen, Secretary of the NSW Midwives Association: mobile- 0407 643 943, work (02) 95156111 page (82220) or Pat Brodie, President of the NSW Midwives Association: mobile-0404 468 224 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
FW: Midwifery Insurance
Hi Thought you might be interested in reading this email I recieved from Philip Cocks - he was interviewed by Chanel 7 on Thursday regarding the PI issue. He raised some interesting points. Cheers Jane Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond Caring, Professional Midwifery Services Sydney Visit http://www.pregnancy.com.au Dear Jane Many thanks for forwarding information regarding your attempts to arrange continuing indemnity cover for independent midwifery. I think that it is unlikely that a private insurance company will be prepared to offer the type of cover that you need at a price that you can afford. Therefore I think that you should push for inclusion in the Treasury Managed Fund(or equivalent in other states)which covers all nursing and medical staff in public hospitals. The fact that NSW Health acknowledges that homebirth should be an option places some responsibility on them to help you in the present crisis. Health Departments would be more receptive to the proposal if your Association agreed to participate in peer review etc. I note that one of the options that your colleagues are considering is "going bare". A signed statement from your clients to the effect that they were aware that you were not indemnified would probably have no validity in the event of a claim. In the present medicolegal environment the only avenue for financial assistanceopen to parents of a child with major neurological abnormality is to lodge a claim against the birth attendant. One could argue that it is ethically improper to deny that access to assistance by deliberately working without liability cover. The Health Care Liability Bill presently before Parliament in NSW will require doctors to carry indemnity cover as a condition of registration and I expect that this requirement will flow on to other health professionals. Good luck with your campaign. Please let me know if I can help in any way. Yours sincerely Phil Cocks Obstetrician Gynaecologist AMA (NSW Branch) Counsillor Westmead NSW
Urgent - need to contact Vicki Chan
Hi every one, I urgently need to contact Vicki Chan. Amongst the plethora of paper work on my desk, I've misplaced her mobile phone number. Can anyone assist please? Thanking you in advance. Yours in birth, Tina Pettigrew Birthworks Independent CBE and aspiring B.Mid Midwife. Convenor, Aust B. Mid Student Collective. As we trust the flowers to open to new life - So we can trust birth Harriette Hartigan. --- -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: LOBBYING: MIDWIVES INSURANCE
How will that company like its name spread out on the news for letting a sweet pregnant women endanger her life by losing her midwife and thinking of birthing on her own. ENDANGER HER LIFE!!! Oh come on! I have nothing but the greatest respect for midwives but this is overdoing it. Don't midwives work WITH women? The job of a midwife is not to manage birth but to support the mother as she births. Jayne - Original Message - From: Mary Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: midwifery mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2001 10:12 AM Subject: Fw: LOBBYING: MIDWIVES INSURANCE A follow on from Sam's original message... MM - Original Message - From: Samuel Weinstein [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mary Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 9:50 AM Subject: Re: Just an update... I would suggest that collectively the midwives approach and hire Jane to act as a negotiater and planner for this as she is world savy and wont stand for crap. If they are interested in doing this I could phone her about it and have her contact a central person.She is the most computer litterate person I know and mayby she could orgainze it thru the disscusion group on the net. You need someone very passinate that get past secretaries and right to CEOs and when the answer is a no or a brush off pushes harder.I mean your original insurer has certin obligations to you and should be forced to cover you until a replacement insurer is found.This would of been best pounded out with the C.E.O. when they first informed you.How will that company like its name spread out on the news for letting a sweet pregnant women endanger her life by losing her midwife and thinking of birthing on her own. Mary you can forward this idea as well Sam Weinstein Sydel Weinstein Directors Family Nurturing Centre ( Transformational Yoga Institute) It takes a whole village to raise a child * Editor in Chief: GLOBAL PARENT - Australia's first natural parenting magazine with an international perspective through community example * Natural Birthing and a focus on CONSCIOUS PARENTING * Long Term Breastfeeding Advocacy and Support * Family Nurturing Centre - PO Box 125, Cottelsoe, Western Australia 6011 * Telephone: 61-8-9383 2229 * Natural Parenting HELPLINE (08) 9482 4154 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- 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.
re midwifery insurance
I have emailed all the WA greens with info re this very important matter, hope they are also being tackled in the other states, yours in midwifery Pete Malavisi. _ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Fw: LOBBYING: MIDWIVES INSURANCE
- Original Message -
From: Mary Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Jayne [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2001 8:52 PM
Subject: Re: LOBBYING: MIDWIVES INSURANCE
I guess this remark has to be viewed in the light of the recent case of
maternal death in W.A where a woman birthed on her own - a Zion birth.
We
think she bled to death over a period of time. Sam of all people knows
that midwives work WITH women. He is a great supporter of midwifery and
birthing women's choices. Don't be t hard on him , Regards, MM
- Original Message -
From: Jayne [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2001 8:09 PM
Subject: Re: LOBBYING: MIDWIVES INSURANCE
How will that
company like its name spread out on the news for letting a sweet
pregnant
women endanger her life by losing her midwife and thinking of birthing
on
her own.
ENDANGER HER LIFE!!! Oh come on! I have nothing but the greatest
respect for midwives but this is overdoing it. Don't midwives work WITH
women? The job of a midwife is not to manage birth but to support the
mother as she births.
Jayne
- Original Message -
From: Mary Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: midwifery mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2001 10:12 AM
Subject: Fw: LOBBYING: MIDWIVES INSURANCE
A follow on from Sam's original message... MM
- Original Message -
From: Samuel Weinstein
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Mary Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 9:50 AM
Subject: Re: Just an update...
I would suggest that collectively the midwives approach and hire
Jane
to act as a
negotiater and planner for this as she is world savy and wont stand
for
crap. If they are interested in doing this I could phone her about it
and
have her contact a central person.She is the most computer litterate
person
I know and mayby she could orgainze it thru the disscusion group on
the
net. You need someone very passinate that get past secretaries and
right
to
CEOs and when the answer is a no or a brush off pushes harder.I mean
your
original insurer has certin obligations to you and should be forced to
cover you until a replacement insurer is found.This would of been best
pounded out with the C.E.O. when they first informed you.How will that
company like its name spread out on the news for letting a sweet
pregnant
women endanger her life by losing her midwife and thinking of birthing
on
her own. Mary you can forward this idea as well
Sam Weinstein Sydel Weinstein
Directors
Family Nurturing Centre ( Transformational Yoga Institute)
It takes a whole village to raise a child
* Editor in Chief: GLOBAL PARENT - Australia's first natural parenting
magazine with an international perspective through community
example
* Natural Birthing and a focus on CONSCIOUS PARENTING
* Long Term Breastfeeding Advocacy and Support
* Family Nurturing Centre - PO Box 125, Cottelsoe, Western Australia
6011
* Telephone: 61-8-9383 2229
* Natural Parenting HELPLINE (08) 9482 4154
E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
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.
Fwd: Research Critique??
Thanks for the reply, as I said I had only read the abstract. The midwife I referred to (Audrey) had not participated in the study but as I tried to write, in the public radio talk session, and she was not defending the dstudy but critiquing it! Sorry to be confusing. IN facxt she wrote her Senior thesis on the VBAC-lash. From the abstract, it appears that there was one MD and 2 Ph.D.'s and I would be guessing as to there area's of study. Marilyn
RE: midwives' insurance - lobby tally
Once a Press Release has been published, it can be sent to as many people as anyone likes. The more ways the message reaches a particular point, in various forms (including phone calls and hand written letters from people who are affected), the more likely it is to be noticed. As with everything else in the Midwifery Campaign, this is grass roots stuff. Noone has any funding to do what they are doing, and there is no central office or mission control. Each committed person has to identify what she/he can do, and do it to the best of their ability. Joy Johnston -Original Message- From: Elizabeth McAlpine [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2001 4:08 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; ozmidwifery list (E-mail) Subject:Re: midwives' insurance - lobby tally Joy, Its not clear, should everyone be sending the press release to whoever they choose?? Has it been sent to Senator Crowley who thinks that birth issues are a national concern or Michael Wooldridge?? Please clarify. Liz McAlpine [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: midwives' insurance - lobby tally
I'm wondering what action the ACMI are taking considering that Guild are breaking an arrangement which they negotiated. In peace and joy Sally Westbury -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Urgent - Contact Vicki Chan
Thank you all who replied to my request. I have Vicki's Mble number now in my hot little hand!!! Yours in birth, Tina Pettigrew Birthworks Independent CBE and aspiring B.Mid Midwife. Convenor, Aust B. Mid Student Collective. As we trust the flowers to open to new life - So we can trust birth Harriette Hartigan. --- -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
3rd and 4th degree tears
Hi all, I am wondering if anyone can point me in the direct of any recent research that discusses causative relationships between any factor to do with childbirth and 3rd and 4th degree tears. I have research that discusses the relationship of epidural and perineal trauma (MIDIRS). Does anyone know of any other articles? Cheers, Jackie Doolan -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Professional indemnity insurance
Hi All - just to let you know I have had the painful task today of informing clientsre Guild. I have just had a phone call from one of them to let me know he had contacted the office of Wendy Edmonds and was told they had not heard of whathad happened and that they would "look into it". Also they contacted Peter Wellington (local independent member) and he asked for details of the companyso he could contact them and find out first hand.they have another six "important" people they are sending letters to as well it's a race against time for them, baby due in Septregards, Lynne
