Media Release - Tuesday September 24 2002

Consumers Have The Solution To Spiralling
Medical Indemnity Insurance Costs

The Maternity Coalition, a national consumer driven organisation, will today present a blueprint for maternity reform in Australia, the National Maternity Action Plan (NMAP). NMAP is being launched across the country with strong community and political support.. In the ACT, Greens MLA, Kerrie Tucker will launch NMAP. "NMAP provides government and decision makers with a resource for implementing community midwifery programs across the country similar to the very successful program in Western Australia." said Ms Caines, ACT President of the Maternity Coalition.

What do we know about one to one midwifery care?

• It is recommended by the World Health Organisation as the most appropriate and care for around 80% of women
• It is cost effective with the potential to save the Australian taxpayer millions in over servicing of healthy women currently receiving unnecessary obstetric care.
• The intervention rates of midwives are much lower, breastfeeding rates are higher and women's satisfaction is greater.
• By reducing unnecessary interventions and subsequent risk governments could reduce their indemnity liability

The recent Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council (AHMAC) Report into medical indemnity states that communication failure is a common factor in instances where patients sue their health care provider. It is commonplace that an Obstetrician spends as little as 4 hours with a woman during their pregnancy and birth. A Midwife providing one to one care spend up to 40 hours with a woman in their care.

"The relationship a woman has with her midwife is the essential ingredient to improving outcomes for mothers and babies and reducing litigation" said Ms Caines

"Currently fewer than 5 percent of ACT women have access to the care of a known midwife, the care that has been proven appropriate and cost effective and will reduce litigation" said Ms Caines

"It is inequitable that the ACT and other governments refuse to provide indemnity cover for independent midwives, Independent midwives are the only health professionals without and unable to purchase insurance cover" said Ms Caines.

"The Chief Minister has made the first step to enhance midwife care in the ACT ($100,000 in the current budget). Unfortunately this will not even meet the unmet need for midwife services. One to one midwifery care that is recognised as international best practice must be available to all women in the ACT." said Ms Caines.

ACT LAUNCH by ACT Greens MLA Kerrie Tucker: 1 pm ACT Legislative Assembly Media Room

Media Contact: Justine Caines 62470177or 0408210273

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