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Senator Meg Lees Senator
for MEDIA
RELEASE Embargoed
until Tuesday 1 July Obstetricians Quit While
Midwives Work On Australian
Progressive Alliance Senator, Meg Lees, today gave her full support to the
ongoing campaign by �The
fact that some obstetricians are leaving the profession due to rising insurance
premiums is regrettable but not the end of the world,� said Senator
Lees. �Federal and state
governments should take this opportunity to review
�Not
only does continuous care by a midwife result in healthier women and babies and
fewer inductions and caesareans, it is also much more cost effective for
government,� said Senator Lees. �Studies show that continuity of midwifery care costs
around $1,000 less per woman than standard maternity care. That figure
represents a saving of about $250 million of taxpayers� money every year with
similar or better health outcomes. �For
too long Australian women have been led to believe they need a private
obstetrician for a safe birth. The truth, unfortunately, is that women who
choose the services of a private obstetrician are significantly more at risk of
experiencing medical intervention, such as caesarean, than women who give birth
in a public hospital. �Midwives are
specialists in normal pregnancy and birth. In countries such as
�But
the vast majority of Australian women do not have this
choice. �The Federal
Government�s major theme has been choice, whether it be in education or private
health fund. If choice is so important � why can�t we have it for
birthing? said Senator
Lees. �Especially now,
as obstetricians in private practice are leaving the profession, the time is
right for the Federal Government to prove just how genuine its commitment to
choice really is,� Senator Lees concluded. Media requests: Kerrie Thornton 02 6277 3203
or 0438 816 376 |
