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Title : Government Looks To Expand Midwifery Program
Minister : Mr Jon Stanhope

GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO EXPAND MIDWIFERY PROGRAM

The Government will pursue a plan to expand Canberra Hospital's midwifery program to help overcome insurance problems, Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope, said today.

Mr Stanhope told the Legislative Assembly the Government was keen to help independent midwives find a solution to their insurance crisis.

"The current problems in the insurance industry have resulted in independent midwives simply being unable to obtain professional indemnity insurance," he said.

"This is unfair for the midwives.

"It seems to be totally unrelated to claims' experience, and solely related to the insurance industry's decision to withdraw from providing certain types of business.

"The Government tried to find insurance for midwives. My Department fully investigated the possibility but cannot find it for them in Australia at this time.

"At the same time, we know many women want access to birthing services outside the traditional hospital setting.

"I have asked my Department to work with the Canberra Midwifery Program at the Hospital on the development of proposals to extend the midwifery led care in that Program to include homebirth as an option.

"This is still in the planning stage, and there will need to be consultation with the community.

"But it is an exciting prospect, and one that will provide equality of access to homebirth for women who are public patients," Mr Stanhope said.

Released: Wednesday 8 May 2002
Inquiries: Greg Friedewald: (02) 6205 0434(w) (02) 6231 0993 (h)
0408 680 471(m)

ACT LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY