Media Release - 28 February 2003

Families Across The Hunter Rally To Demand Action From Politicians To Access Midwifery Care

Women and their families are demanding better maternity care across the Hunter. "Best Practice Maternity Care is when a woman is cared for by one midwife throughout pregnancy, labour and the early post-natal period and yet no woman in the Hunter has access to this care in the public health system," said Ms Caines, NSW President of the Maternity Coalition.

"We have invited all incumbent politicians and candidates to address the rally on March 1 and are seeking an election commitment from the parties to provide community midwifery in the Hunter from July 1 2003," said Ms Caines.

"Greater access to midwifery care is naturally important to many women and their families. What is of importance to the majority of voters across the Hunter is quality healthcare. We have proven to the NSW Health Minister, Craig Knowles and to senior officials of NSW Health that current care is unnecessarily costly and is not providing satisfactory outcomes," said Ms Caines.

The Maternity Coalition's request for community midwifery is in line with current health policy, policy that has been endorsed since 2000 and yet women are still denied this care.

A little over 7000 women give birth in the Hunter each year, Maternity Coalition has requested programs throughout the region for 320 women to be cared for by one known midwife. "This is less than 5% of women," said Ms Caines. "It is planned to increase this to 15% over the next three years".

"The Hunter is a perfect area to implement community midwifery, we have a strong group of consumers, midwifery and medical leaders committed to collaborative care and a mix of urban and regional areas. For the first time women in regional areas of the Hunter could have choice in maternity care," said Ms Caines.

What do we know about one to one midwifery care? 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. 30 State and federal enquiries have reviewed maternity services since 1985, the majority have recommended an increase in midwife care, with little recommendations being acted upon.

Women and their families, joined by health professionals will unite to demand local politicians and candidates implement best practice maternity care at Jesmond Park from 10.30am, Saturday March 1. Lots of bellies and babies in a demonstration of what women across the Hunter want, primary care from a midwife.

Media contact: Justine Caines 0408 210273

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