NEWS RELEASE Tuesday June 14 2005
Contact: Justine Caines 0408 210 273

Howard must have a fully functional workforce to enable health reform and prevent women and babies from risk

Last week Prime Minister Howard agreed with state premiers that broad health reform was necessary. Surely reform will only be successful if health professionals work appropriately and to their capacity. Australian midwives are currently totally under utilised. A group of midwives and mothers representing thousands across the country will meet in Canberra tomorrow for an urgent summit to facilitate safe maternity services Australia-wide.

"Midwives working in private practice are the only health professionals without indemnity insurance. It would seem the Federal Government would rather see women giving birth on the side of the road than assist registered capable health professionals with indemnity insurance." said private practicing midwife Marie Heath

"Women giving birth in the back of ambulances or the side of the road is a very common event in rural Australia. A recent study from Charles Sturt University suggests at least 40% of rural women have no local maternity service." said rural mother Justine Caines.

"Many private practicing midwives work in rural and regional areas and have provided the service for 40 years without any government support. With assistance they could provide Medicare funded care and also assist in offering a choice in private health insurance. Currently rural women are unable to access private maternity care other than in very large regional centres." Said Ms Heath

Midwives are trained to care for healthy women (in Australia around 80%) for the entire pregnancy, birth and for around six weeks post-natally. At the moment the structure of health sees them grossly under-utilised. This results in metropolitan services overcrowded and rural services non-existent.

"The good news is there is a proven solution, Midwives waiting to work the way they were trained and what they are registered for." said Sydney based midwife practitioner, Jan Robinson.

Today's summit will hear from the politicians, health professionals and the women John Howard's lack of action put in very real danger.

Summit to be held at Senate Committee Room: 2S2
10 am - 5 pm

Midwives: The Answer to Safe and Sustainable Maternity Care Australia-wide

Australian Midwifery Indemnity Campaign

P.O. Box 1190
Blackburn North,
Victoria 3130
Australia