Dear all,
Senator Meg Lees has been fantastic in her support for the NMAP. Below is a
motion she tabled in the Senate the day after the national launch... FYI
Barb.
Senator Meg Lees
Independent Senator for South Australia
MEDIA RELEASE
Senate Supports Midwives
The motion by Independent Senator, Meg Lees, calling on the Senate to adopt
the National Maternity Action Plan, launched this week by the Maternity
Coalition, was today supported in
the Senate.
"I am pleased to see that Opposition and cross bench senators have agreed to
support the recommendations of the National Maternity Action Plan but am
disappointed at the Governmentıs lack of interest in such an important
issue," said Senator Lees.
"The National Maternity Action Plan is about choice for Australian women.
Itıs about freedom for women to choose how they are supported during their
pregnancy and during the birth of their child.
"The Plan proposes widespread introduction of primary midwifery services
offering one-to-one continuity of care to healthy women, with referral to
specialists on an as-needs basis.
"This Government has made choice its priority in many other areas including
superannuation and education, but when it comes to taking on the vested
interests in the health system in order to provide choice for women, it has
run for cover."
"The overwhelming evidence is that implementing the NMAP would result in
significant savings for both federal and state governments. It is lack of
political courage and leadership which is preventing progress.
"In Australia we are locked into an intervention prone medical model for
having our children. Australia has one of the highest rates for caesarean
section in the developed world.
"In stark contrast, 70% of women in New Zealand choose a midwife as their
primary carer.
"Itıs time for the Government, with the support of all Members of
Parliament, to take on the vested interests in the health system and push
for modern, appropriate services for women.
Media requests: Kerrie Thornton 02 6277 3203 or 0438 816 376
25 September 2002
See over for Notice of Motion./2
Notice of Motion
Senator Lees
I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move that the Senate:-
1. Notes that maternity services in Australia deny the majority of women a
choice in how they are supported during pregnancy and birth.
2. Recognises that fewer than 1% of women can currently access one-to-one
primary care from midwives.
3. Notes that international research has shown that in industrialised
countries only 15% to 20% of women need obstetric intervention in order to
achieve a good outcome while in Australia there is at least one medical
intervention in 80% of births.
4. Calls on the Senate to support the National Maternity Action Plan
launched on 24 September 2002 by the Maternity Coalition.
The Need for Change
Australiaıs current services are too costly, overly concentrated on
specialists providing primary care to healthy women, and do not reflect
international best practice and research. Unlike any other area of the
health system, healthy women without medical complaints or complications are
receiving specialist care that is part of a fee for service from public
funds.
The OECD countries with the lowest perinatal mortality rates have
maternity care systems in which midwives provide primary care for up to 80%
of pregnant women. In Australia fewer than 1% of women can currently
access one-to-one primary care from midwives. The loss of access by
independent midwives to PI insurance in May 2002 has worsened this problem.
International research cited by the World health Organisation reports that
only 15- 20% of women in industrialised countries need obstetric
intervention in labour and birth to achieve a good outcome for themselves
and/or their babies. In Australia, more than 80% of women receive at least
one obstetric intervention in labour or birth.
For full details of NMAP go to: www.maternitycoalition.org.au
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