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[Tony Payne]

Dear all on the list.   Sent this in regard to John Hunter - what a travesty!!   Choices for Childbirth Robin Payne 84 Heller Street West Brunswick 3055   12.8.99     Professor W. Walters Chairman, Division of Obstetrics & Gynaecology John Hunter Hospital Locked Bag no1 Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2301 Dear Professor Walters   I run a consumer information group enabling women to make informed choices about their care during pregnancy and labor. I am also a member of the Maternity Coalition Inc. I have enclosed some material outlining the activities of both of these organisations. Whilst we are Victorian based, we continually look Australia-wide towards evidence of best practice in maternity care to which others may aspire. I was deeply shocked to hear of the intended suspension of the Hunter Team Midwifery Program. It was encouraging to know that Hunter Health had obviously heeded the research that shows that midwifery models of care are safer, more effective and offer greater satisfaction to women than other obstetrically led models of care. The Hospital is to be applauded in having taken the great step forward in providing such a valuable model of care to women. How can the intended suspension of the program possibly be justified? It cannot be justified on the grounds of safety as midwifery models of care have been shown through volumes of research to be the safest models of care. It cannot be justified on the grounds of economic efficiency because midwifery care based on a wellness approach to pregnancy and labor have been shown to be cheaper without compromising effective care or safety. It cannot be on the grounds of women's dissatisfaction because midwifery models of care have been shown to provide the greatest satisfaction with care by pregnant and labouring women.   On what grounds then is the intended suspension of the Team Midwifery program based? One must remain cynical about the suspension being only until finances improve as any model of care that will operate in its place is likely to be more costly and less efficient than the one its replacing! I look forward to hearing from you. Please acknowledge receipt of my letter. Yours sincerely     Robin Payne Choices for Childbirth