Title: FW: Contracting Advantage - Melbourne meeting re PI
Dear All
Here is a very comprehensive update re the Melb Contracting Advantage meeting from Robyn Thompson.
I agree with what others have said re ACMI membership. If midwives are not members of the College then they choose to look after themselves re professional issues. The College is only funded by its members and I really dont think non members can expect a service from them.
JC
Hi All
It seems we are moving closer to the long awaited moment for equal recognition of our most important profession in terms of Health Professionals Indemnity Insurance. Most of us said it was to good to be true and remained a little skeptical. We so much look forward to the terrible legislative restriction to private practice in the Northern Territory being lifted and equal opportunity for all midwives around the nation to practice their professional skills in any midwifery setting with the certainty of Insurance. Please forward this information wide and far to other colleagues and interested people.
We had a very fruitful meeting with Anne OConnor from Contracting Advantage (CAdv) [EMAIL PROTECTED] yesterday 5th Sept hosted by Western Hospital, Sunshine Campus, Melbourne. Special thanks to Sue Davis and Patrice Hickey for the meeting venue and arrangements, thanks to Barb Vernon for her continuing efforts with Insurance Industry and thanks to Joy for the prompt synopsis. Anne is willing to travel to your state or territory if you feel you need to meet with her, or you can email or talk to her by mobile 0416 728 886.
Anne opened the meeting explaining the role of CAdv the Agency between contractors/midwives and the Insurance Brokers, Jardine, Lloyd, Thomas Perth, Western Australia. . Anne first became involved with her endeavour to obtain insurance for Midwives when she was discussing the insurance dilemma over dinner and a red wine with a dear midwife friend from New South Wales. Anne took the story to her boss; the idea has developed progressively from there. Anne couldnt understand why the government hadnt tried to solve the issue for the midwifery; the only profession nationally unable to obtain fair and equitable access to Professional Indemnity Insurance. Anne showed her passion for the cause, she is a good business woman committed to having Professional Indemnity and Public Liability available for midwives in the near future. Thanks to background research and continuing discussions with Barb Vernon, Anne informed us the plan has already progressed to the point where IT systems are currently being installed to provide this new back-end service for contracted midwives. With great diplomacy Anne answered a bombardment of questions posed by a very interested group of midwives from hospital, private practice and some providing midwifery services in combined settings. Anne stayed overnight at my place and answered more questions (over dinner and red wine) put to her by my self-employed husband, a Plumber. CAdv have the necessary financial requirement that most small groups and contractors cannot raise; a Premium Pool of $250,000 - $400,000 secured by law for 15 years, they are in a financial position to buy the Insurance at wholesale price.
Contracting Advantage offers two operating systems
1. The ODCO System Agency services to hospitals and other establishments with permanent employees
2. Independent System Agency services on a user pays basis for self employed contractors
The ODCO Pty Ltd System is the original contracting system set up for self-employed contractors. The system has been tested in courts several times and has been legitimized after Unions questioned the legality of the Agency. The ODCO system continues providing services for contractors, is audited and complies with the legal requirement of appropriate Licencing Boards. An example of the ODCO System working for a Private Midwifery Practice: If the company Melbourne Midwifery wanted to permanently employ full-time or part-time midwives the ODCO system would require, a 10% Administration fee; 5% paid by Melbourne Midwifery and 5% by each employed midwife. This system can be offered with cost savings to hospitals, universities and other organisations employing full or part-time midwives. A midwife who has both private clients and is employed by a hospital system must be clear in declaring their client contractual arrangements from the outset.
The Independent System a user pay system provides individual access for midwives to Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance for any sphere of practice antenatal, labour and birth, postnatal, education (inside or outside hospital settings). The system is flexible it will meet the needs of midwives who have not yet set up a business and for those who have well established business facilities. Midwives pay a $500 per year up front fee for the Insurance Policy, there are no professional or other exclusions. The ACMI Codes and
