Policy review into Midwifery

[francis bowman]

To all who are interested in retaining the role of the midwife and gaining more autonomy and at the same time protecting the clients right to choose midwifery services for homebirth!!!!!!   Saturday's Brisbane Courior Mail page 30 has a government advertisement about a policy review into the practice restraictions of nurses and midwifes.  It says:  The Queensland Government is reviewing the specific practice restraictions i the Nursing Act 1992 under National Competition Policy.  The act currently regulates who may practice nursing and midwifery.  The purpose of the review is to make recommendations to Government on the need if any, for statutory restrictions on nursing and midwifery practices and if restrictions are warranted the most appropriate model to implement.   Submissions to the review are invited from any interested person.  The discussion paper for the review can be obtained by contacting the Legislative Projects Unit on: 07 32340691 or fax 32341455 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] or at the web site www.health.qld.gov.au/lpu/reviews12430.pdf  Submissions close 29th January 2002.  Some advice from a friend in the know says make sure your submissions are type written, not uniform with everyone elses.  They disrgard any they think do not express the persons own beliefs.   I am the HOME Program co-ordinator for the Home Midwifery Association and we are currently working on political strategies to forward the cause of homebirth parents and midwives autonomy.   I urge everyone who has a stake in these areas to write.  Do it now before we face further legislation that prevents us from breathing as well as practicing!!!!!!!!!   Blessings in Birth Dierdre Bowman.