Maternity Coalition report on national launch of the NMAP for the ACMI journal, October 2002

'Launch of the NMAP a great success'

After more than a year in the making, the National Maternity Action Plan (NMAP) was successfully launched on 24 September 2002 in capital cities across Australia, including Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Regional launches were also held in Mt Gambier, SA and Mareeba, Qld. A range of maternity groups and supporters of NMAP organized the launch events under the umbrella of the Maternity Coalition.

A variety of high profile people participated in the press conferences held nationally and in each state, including parliamentarians, midwives, doctors, health officials, maternity services managers and-less high profile but all important-consumers. Members of both Federal and State Parliaments participated in the launch, including members from the Labor Party, the Liberals, the Democrats and the Greens. Greens Members of Parliament hosted launch events at the Federal Parliament as well as in NSW and the ACT, while the SA launch was hosted by Australian Democrats MLC Sandra Kanck, and the WA launch by Labor MLC, Louise Pratt. In Victoria the launch was hosted by Womens Health Victoria.

At the national launch of the NMAP held at Parliament House in Canberra, there was strong cross-party support. The following Senators and members spoke at the launch:

- Senator Kerrie Nettle (the Greens)
- The Hon Dr Carmen Lawrence, MP, Shadow Minister for the Status of Women
- Senator Aden Ridgeway, Australian Democrats
- Senator Meg Lees, Independent
- The Hon Jackie Kelly, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
(Click on the photo for a larger version)

Each of these participants made strong statements in support of women having greater choice in maternity services, and in particular the choice of a known midwife to provide her with continuity of care. An opening address was given by Dr Barbara Vernon, President of Maternity Coalition, and Vanessa Owen, President of the Australian College of Midwives also spoke in support of the NMAP. There was also a supportive statement provided by Stephen Smith, MP, Shadow Minister for Health, who was unable to attend on the day.

The main purpose of the public launch of the NMAP was to bring the Plan to the attention of governments, health officials , maternity services managers, doctors and midwives as well as women across Australia. The press conferences focused on the fact that 99% of Australian women are currently being denied access to the care of a known midwife throughout pregnancy, birth and the newborn period. It was highlighted that one-to-one midwifery care is safe, cost effective, evidence-based and beneficial to women and babies. Consumers at each launch called on government to give Australian women immediate and universal access to services offering women the choice of continuity of midwifery carer through the public health system.

In addition to the press conferences held in each state and nationally, there were a range of public events hosted to celebrate the NMAP and raise awareness of its recommendations. In Sydney, Greens MLA Lee Rhiannon hosted a function at Parliament House, in which a panel of speakers addressed a diverse audience. A similar function was held in Adelaide, hosted by Democrats MLC, Sandra Kanck. At both events consumers spoke eloquently of the reasons why women must be given the choice of care by a known midwife, and eminent doctors and midwives voiced their support for the NMAP. In Perth, Labor MLC Louise Pratt hosted parliamentary drinks to enable discussion about the NMAP and Greens MLC Giz Watson tabled NMAP in the Wa Parliament that night. In Brisbane and Melbourne women, their partners and babies gathered in significant numbers (in King George Square in Brisbane, and at Wattle Park in Melbourne) to hear speakers on the Plan and voice their support for its implementation.

A good deal of collective effort went into to ensuring the media was well aware of the launch and well briefed on what it was all about. Media coverage of the launch was widespread, with the event picked up by national and local radio, television and newspapers. In some states, talk-back radio aired public comment about the NMAP for several days after the launch. Representatives of Maternity Coalition gave numerous radio interviews, as well as appearing on a number of national and local television news and current affairs programs..

The public launch of the NMAP was an important first step in what is the beginning of a concerted consumer driven campaign to achieve significant reform in Australia's maternity services. It demonstrated the professional and dedicated way in which women across Australia are working together to make governments listen and respond to what we want from our maternity services.

To follow up on the momentum created by the launch, MC is speaking with ministers, health officials and non-government parties at federal and state levels, particularly in NSW and Victoria where the imminent elections are real opportunities to effect policy change to implement NMAP. At federal level, the Australian Senate has already passed a motion supporting the NMAP, following a motion put by Independent Senator, Meg Lees. Governments at all levels are being asked to look seriously at the potential cost savings and benefits to women of introducing one-to-one continuity of midwifery care as a mainstream part of our public maternity services, as in New Zealand. We are also seeking to have the NMAP considered by the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council.

Support for this campaign from consumers, midwives, doctors, educators and health officials has already been crucial in the successes achieved so far. Such support will continue to be essential if we are to succeed. The Maternity Coalition welcomes interest from all quarters in the NMAP, and invites anyone who supports NMAP's objectives to become a member of Maternity Coalition and help ensure the success of this important campaign.

See MC President, Barb Vernon's Speech Notes and a larger photo of the launch