Signatures are coming through via the online petition from www.maternitycoalition.org.au and are being recorded and added to the total tally (around 1500 at present) Most of the names are not familiar to me, meaning that people who access this information and sign the petition are outside the 'network' - this is good. For those who are not familiar with the Petition, which was launched in May this year, here it is: To the Ministers for Health (State and Federal). We the undersigned petition you to provide access for all women to choose a midwife as their primary caregiver during pregnancy and birth within the health system (public and private) whether in the community or hospital. This is the goal of the Australian Midwifery Campaign, with wide support of organisations and individuals in all Australian States and Territories. The current health funding system throughout Australia is anticompetitive towards midwives, and restricts the choice of women who seek the services of a known midwife. Changes similar to those made in New Zealand (Nurses Amendment Act 1990) to maternity service provision would not place extra demands on health funding, but would remove the current monopoly which supports medical management of pregnancy and birth, and unfairly disadvantages midwives and women who are attended by midwives. International evidence and best practice standards support midwives as primary caregivers throughout the childbearing continuum. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
