Media Release  -  September 24, 2002
Maternity care across Australia is in crisis
Solution: The National Maternity Action Plan (NMAP)

It has become increasingly evident that major changes are urgently required to maternity services across Australia. A new collaborative initiative between midwives and consumers to improve the provision and funding for maternity care services in Australia has just been announced.

"The NMAP is all about giving each woman choice - the choice of having her own midwife care for her throughout her pregnancy, wherever she chooses to give birth and during the first few weeks of her life with her new baby." says Dr. Barbara Vernon, President of the national consumer group, The Maternity Coalition.

Sally Tracy, Researcher at the Centre for Midwifery Studies, University of Technology, Sydney, says "Since 1985 there have been 30 State, Territory and Commonwealth Government Reports and Policy Documents that have investigated maternity services. All have recommended the enhancement of midwifery care yet no action has been taken to date to implement the recommended strategies".

Kathleen Fahy, Professor of Midwifery at Newcastle University commends NMAP, and reports that "Australia has one of the highest rates for caesarean section in the developed world, at least 15% higher than WHO targets. Unlike any other area of the health system, healthy women are receiving specialist medical care when they have no medical complaints. This is costing the Government, taxpayers and families millions of dollars each year and recently released research shows that those who are healthiest and most affluent are costing the health system more due to their higher levels of obstetric care".

"The Community Midwifery Program, funded by the West Australian Government, has been offering hospital or home births for women in the Perth area for the past 6 years. Thorough evaluation has proven that this type of midwifery care is preferred by women, is cost effective, safer and gives better outcomes for mothers and babies," says Dr Tracy Reibel, Coordinator of this innovative program.

The National Maternity Action Plan envisages similar programs being rolled out across Australia. Benefits to be gained are:

* Availability of internationally recognised best practice for all pregnant women, ensuring choice, access and equity for those in rural and remote areas as well as city residents;

* A solution to the professional indemnity crisis that is pricing obstetricians out of low risk maternity care. There has been no case to date of an independent midwife in Australia being sued for an adverse outcome. Lower professional indemnity premiums for practitioners will save governments and practitioners money and reduce the overall costs for maternity care.

* A reduction in costs to the taxpayers of maternity care, while improving outcomes for mothers and babies.

"Women in the UK, Canada and New Zealand can choose to have their own midwife through the public health system. Australian women demand this choice too. Community midwifery is cost effective and backed by truckloads of research" Dr Vernon says. "It is hard to imagine any reason governments can have for discriminating against women and midwives by not offering this option within the public health system".

The National Maternity Action Plan is endorsed by 25 National and International organisations including The Maternity Coalition, the Australian College of Midwives Inc, the Australian Women's Health Network and the Australian Nursing Federation.

For full details of NMAP go to: http://www.maternitycoalition.org.au/nmap.html

A simultaneous nationwide launch of the National Maternity Action Plan will take place on September 24, 2002. 

National Spokespersons:

Dr Tracy Reibel
Phone: 08 9339 0021 Mob 0409 086 423 email: midwives@iinet.net.au 
 
Professor Kathleen Fahy 
Phone: 02 49215966 Mobile: 0404 087 449 Kathleen.Fahy@newcastle.edu.au  

Dr Barbara Vernon 
Phone: 02 6230 2107 vernon@webone.com.au 

State Contacts:

ACT: Justine Caines Ph: 02 6247 0177 Mob: 0408 210 273 justine@austarmetro.com.au 
 
NSW: Denise Hynd Mob: 0417 932 570 midwifedenise@bigpond.com 
 
VIC: Leslie Arnott Ph: 03 9817 3118 Mob: 0412 707 001 lesliearnott@hotmail.com 
 
QLD: Bruce Teakle Ph: 07 3289 0231 Mob: 0438 736 740 bdteakle@ine.com.au 
 
SA: Cheryl Glenie Ph: 08 8240 4420 Mob: 0418 890 685 bencheryl@bigpond.com 
 
WA: Tracy Reibel Ph: 08 9339 0021 Mob: 0409 086 423 midwives@iinet.net.au 
 
A simultaneous nationwide launch of the National Maternity Action Plan will take place on September 24, 2002.

Related Press Releases

• Government Looks To Expand Midwifery Program
• Greens - Minister Must Act on Midwives Insurance (PDF)

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