MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday June 28 2006

Birthing women condemned to third-world care

“Tony Abbott’s proposed change to birth care has sentenced rural families to ‘Third World’ care for years to come,” said Justine Caines, rural mother and policy coordinator for Maternity Coalition.

“Allowing untrained doctors overseeing untrained nurses to provide ante-natal care for women in the bush is unprecedented and is clear evidence of a two-tiered health system. Tony Abbott must immediately reverse this dangerous plan, in order to protect the lives of rural mothers and their babies,” said Ms Caines.

The Federal Health Minister and his department are pushing through a new Medicare item so registered nurses, Aboriginal health workers and even enrolled nurses can do ante-natal checks on behalf of a GP or specialist obstetrician for women in rural and remote Australia.

“The Government’s so-called ‘solution’ is a quick fix as nurses do not have the qualifications nor the necessary skills to provide competent or safe ante-natal care,” said Ms Caines.

“We believe that unskilled care is more dangerous than no care as women are likely to assume their health care is adequate and not seek care from an obstetrician or midwife.

“If anything it will lead to more lives being put at unnecessary risk in the bush.

“Why is the Federal Government continuing to provide a different level of safety and quality for women in rural Australia compared to the city? Regardless of their address, all Australian women and their babies have a right to expect safe birth care.

“We’re urging rural families to tell their Federal MP that they cannot accept care from unskilled workers for the sake of their unborn child.”

Women seeking more information about what they can do to stop this policy should visit www.maternitycoalition.org.au.

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Contact: Justine Caines 0408210273