Wednesday 30 April 2003 NEWS RELEASE

Alleviate Rural GP Workload, Increase Services, Enhance Family Support

Rural Women Provide Patterson with the answer to Access and Affordability Issues

Federal Health Minister, Senator Kay Patterson says changes in Medicare are all about access and affordability; She says we need to promote this in rural Australia and that nurses will assist GP's with their workload and she is right, however; "Rural midwives could also be used to maintain maternity services and return them to so many areas where services have been closed. This is a most sensible approach particularly when rural women are often forced to travel huge distances to receive maternity care," said Dr Barbara Vernon National President of the Maternity Coalition.

"For the first time women will be able to be cared for throughout pregnancy and early parenting by the same midwife who cares for them when in labour." Said Dr Vernon

"Each week another rural area loses access to vital services. Pregnant women are particularly hard hit. Cessnock in NSW has been the latest to announce a closure of local birthing services. Here is a perfect example of where midwives could assist overstretched GP's and maintain local services." Said Justine Caines, NSW President of the Maternity Coalition.

To achieve greater access and affordability a commitment needs to be made to using appropriate health professionals. Midwives are the experts in normal pregnancies (around 80%). They provide safe care with access to medical back-up. Midwives can work closely with GP's for women who need medical assistance.

Maternity Coalition is a national umbrella organisation committed to promoting best practice maternity care. It represents individual members and community groups across the country. In NSW we have a strong rural focus with 6 of the 12 branches in rural and regional areas. For example our NSW President lives in a town of 1100 people

Media Contact: National President Dr Barbara Vernon Ph: (02) 6230 2107 0407 481633
NSW President: Justine Caines Ph: (02) 65482248 0408 210273

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