Next Wednesday's Health Minister's Meeting - PI Insurance

[Vernon at Stringybark]

The Hon C. J. Knowles, MP
Minister for Health
Level 33, Governor Macquarie Tower,
1 Farrer Place, Sydney 2000

Friday 27 July 2001

Dear Minister,

I understand that professional indemnity insurance for GPs and obstetricians
is on the agenda for the upcoming National Health Ministers Meeting on 1
August.  

I am writing to urge you to take the opportunity to extend the discussion of
professional indemnity insurance to include midwive, given the current
crisis in which independent midwives are unable to renew their PI policies.

Midwives are specialists in normal birth.  Obstetricians are specialists in
abnormal birth (or birth with complications).  Since the majority of women
experience normal healthy pregnancies, midwives have a major role to play in
providing maternity care during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Independent midwives provide an essential service in Australia.  They
provide pregnant women with one on one care throughout their pregnancy,
birth and early postnatal period.  Experience in both Australia and oversees
has scientifically proven that care of a woman by a known midwife
significantly reduces the need for medical interventions in birth.  This
results in significantly REDUCED COSTS to the public health system of
providing care for birthing women, as well as resulting in happier and
healthier mothers and babies.

Independent midwives are particularly invaluable in rural areas, where women
are less easily able to access mainstream maternity care.

Obstetricians, midwives and GPs all have distinct but complementary roles to
play in providing care to pregnant and birthing women.  It is ludicrous that
governments appear to be considering assisting with the professional
indemnity insurance of only the GPS and obstetricians, while excluding the
other key maternity care professionals - midwives.

I look forward to hearing of positive outcomes from the Health ministers
meeting regarding the PI insurance crisis affecting midwives and birthing
women Australia wide, and in New South Wales.

sincerely,

Barb Vernon

Dr Barbara Vernon
'Stringybark'
Carrington Road
Murrumbateman  NSW  2582

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Current Affair IPM program

[Hannah Dahlen]

Dear all

I have emailed the producer of A Current Affair to find out when the IPM
story will be on and he thinks it will be tonight. This is what he wrote:

"It looks like this evening at this stage. We have just had a few scheduling
dramas with the 'World Swimming Championships' and the missing backpacker in
the NT. I'll keep you posted. The story however has come up a treat!

Kind Regards 

Dan Keens"

So here's hoping it!

Cheers Hannah

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Fw: Your e-mail to MPO passed on to us to respond

[Elizabeth McAlpine]

This in response to my question on cost analysis - 
home birth v hospital birth.    liz
- Original Message - 
From: nzcom 
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 6:13 AM
Subject: Your e-mail to MPO passed on to us to respond

Elizabeth
 
Don’t quite understand what you mean. The New 
Zealand system doesn’t distinguish risk/cost by place of birth. Home and 
hospital are considered perfectly bona fide choices by the New Zealand 
government, the health funders and the providers (notwithstanding some 
resistance in the medical profession to home birth). I’m sure that if home birth 
was a factor in cost, insurers would have made some indication about this. The 
College has no evidence to say home birth has a different cost 
structure.
 
Karen Guilliland
Director
NZ College of MidwivesPO Box 
21106ChristchurchTelephone 03 377 2732E-Mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]Facsimile 03 377 
5662

Re: possible strategy for building support

[Julie Clarke]

It certainly sounds the wisest strategy to me.
Not only will it get the attention of the politicians but it will spread the
message to all women.
When do we start ?
hug
Julie
-Original Message-
From: Andrea Robertson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Friday, 27 July 2001 9:30
Subject: possible strategy for building support


>Hi everyone,
>
>When the midwives in New Zealand were trying to get the landmark changes
>regarding midwifery passed into law, they had a clever strategy that we
>might be able to use here.
>
>The way to make the politicians sit up and take notice is to make it clear
>to them that these issues about women having the freedom to choose
>midwifery care and the Government's responsibilities to provide appropriate
>care are on lots of voter's agendas.
>
>One way to build numbers of concerned voters is to enlist the help of all
>the women's organisations out there. This was done in NZ  through several
>steps:
>
>* either midwives joined these groups or sought out a supportive existing
>member (lots of them had mothers who were members, for example).
>
>* a standardised resolution stating the organisations support of women's
>freedom of choice for maternity care was prepared and sent to each of these
>members.
>
>* the resolution was included on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting
>of each organisation, to be voted on as a matter of principal. I understand
>that this was quite easily done - everyone could support the resolution as
>it was worded and no-one wanted to see women's rights eroded.
>
>* The names of the organisations that had supported the resolution were
>listed in the supporting documents when presented to politicians etc.
>
>All kinds of women's groups were used: civic groups, church groups, women
>farmer's groups, school groups, political groups etc etc.
>
>This might be a strategy worth considering here, given that there is an
>election in the offing and some of the Health Ministers don't seem to be
>too interested as yet.  We could pool our ideas on the groups to be
>approached and it is likely that through our own contacts or memberships we
>might find that we can gain access to many of them quite easily. Perhaps
>ACMI could put together a simple statement that states the basic issue that
>everyone could use. I feel sure that Karen Guilliland could dig up the
>wording of the NZ resolution if we asked her, and this might give us a
>starting point.
>
>What do listers think?  Perhaps this could be discussed as a strategy at
>the Sydney meeting tonight?
>
>Onwards.
>
>Andrea
>
>--
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Another arrow

[Mary Murphy]

I was just listeneing to Dr Ken Armstrong (from QLD?)on the local Perth ABC 
talking about the misdiagnosos of sleep deprivation (calling it Post Natal 
Depression... long a theme of mine) and his involvement with a government funded 
program called Best Beginnings.  The long and short of it was that 
most mothers are sleep deprived, shoved out of hospital too soon and have little 
support at home.   (surprise surprise)
He was saying that the government wanted to put in place better supports 
for women so that they and their babies arent misdiagnosed ( PND and 
Gastric Reflux) and drugged up. 
 SO.. one of the things that midwives do best is support women in the 
community/homebirth and hospital based visiting midwife services 
(domicillary).  If Government currently recognise  that women 
need more support immediately after birth, then maybe they will see that 
the exisiting midwifery services need "beefing up" and maybe thats just another 
point in our favour in the present negotiations? regards, Mary 
Murphy

All of this

[Marijke Eastaugh]

Dear Oz Midders, what a feisty bunch you all are.
The Guild insurance fiasco has indeed made me stop in my tracks around 
birthing at home or providing continuity of care. BUT only for the moment.  
At the moment  and for the last three & half years I have been 
going through the litigation process. It's a long story and I'm not divulging 
anything just yet because procedure is still in progress and  it's not over 
yet for me.  It has been a harrowing
experience and I intend when all is over to , perhaps share
 
We cannot give up however,  I have no intention of disappearing , 
changing how I work is a very good possibility. I think the economic viewpoint 
needs to be pushed as hard as possible. LSCS is the most expensive way to have a 
baby.  It does not make economic sense.  someone with three or four 
years training rather than six is economical. Two professionals at a birth 
rather than seven at LSCS is economic sense. Birth at home is economic!  
Where are the Grandmothers from 20 years ago that were fighting for this choice, 
is the National Council of Women aware that Australian women are having a 
substandard time while producing the next generation .  Zonta. CWA there 
are women out there who will join us.   
 
The bun fight between Midwives and Doctors gets us nowhere,  they are 
our colleagues and yes we do have a different focus, it's OK to look at all 
angles.  With respect always.  
Can we entice the government to bring someone over from New Zealand to set 
up a similar system of insurance for ALL of us.  We are not in this alone, 
it's just that we are so used to being scapegoated that are reaction is very 
defensive. 
I'm looking forward to things this week my 10year IBCLC exam happens 
Monday, Vicki Chan that afternoon and into the evening, then the Rally on 
Friday at Parliament House .  Adelaide's a pretty exiting place to live 
these days!  
 
The list at the moment is very inspiring, Rhonda I'm sorry you had such a 
horrible time at your birth. 
As part of the AMALG team what will be written into legislation is a 
complaints process, by far the most satisfying is in fact to gat all parties at 
the table banter and explain why things were done at the time and for 
understanding BOTH ways to occur.  The world is  perfect but the 
humans in it are not. Love to you all, from Marijke.  

Re: possible strategy for building support

[Denise Hynd]

Dear Andrea
Let's give it an ozie go!
ACMI are not due to have an exec meeting till Sept so I think it would
bestif the individuals and groups feeding in to this list started and we
could get ACMI to officially join/stamp the activity then?
Denise
- Original Message -
From: "Andrea Robertson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 6:42 AM
Subject: possible strategy for building support


> Hi everyone,
>
> When the midwives in New Zealand were trying to get the landmark changes
> regarding midwifery passed into law, they had a clever strategy that we
> might be able to use here.
>
> The way to make the politicians sit up and take notice is to make it clear
> to them that these issues about women having the freedom to choose
> midwifery care and the Government's responsibilities to provide
appropriate
> care are on lots of voter's agendas.
>
> One way to build numbers of concerned voters is to enlist the help of all
> the women's organisations out there. This was done in NZ  through several
> steps:
>
> * either midwives joined these groups or sought out a supportive existing
> member (lots of them had mothers who were members, for example).
>
> * a standardised resolution stating the organisations support of women's
> freedom of choice for maternity care was prepared and sent to each of
these
> members.
>
> * the resolution was included on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting
> of each organisation, to be voted on as a matter of principal. I
understand
> that this was quite easily done - everyone could support the resolution as
> it was worded and no-one wanted to see women's rights eroded.
>
> * The names of the organisations that had supported the resolution were
> listed in the supporting documents when presented to politicians etc.
>
> All kinds of women's groups were used: civic groups, church groups, women
> farmer's groups, school groups, political groups etc etc.
>
> This might be a strategy worth considering here, given that there is an
> election in the offing and some of the Health Ministers don't seem to be
> too interested as yet.  We could pool our ideas on the groups to be
> approached and it is likely that through our own contacts or memberships
we
> might find that we can gain access to many of them quite easily. Perhaps
> ACMI could put together a simple statement that states the basic issue
that
> everyone could use. I feel sure that Karen Guilliland could dig up the
> wording of the NZ resolution if we asked her, and this might give us a
> starting point.
>
> What do listers think?  Perhaps this could be discussed as a strategy at
> the Sydney meeting tonight?
>
> Onwards.
>
> Andrea
>
> --
> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
> Visit  to subscribe or unsubscribe.

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Re: From Silence To Voices

[Ian & Andrea Quanchi]

I was lucky enough to hear Suzanne Gordon speak at an ANF conference on
Wednesday. She was truly inspiring and the information was just as ( or
probably more) applicable to midwives as nurses. She is doing a study day
today and I wish I had been able to stay for it. I bought her book but
have not had a chance to read it yet but will let you know when I have.
The gist of her idea is that nurses don't communicate with the public
effectively what it is we do and that this is the reason why they continue
to look at the medical model as the ideal.  She offers lots of solutions
to begin repairing this situation.
Andrea Quanchi
Mary Murphy wrote:

In an earlier email I spoke abut
the interview on Life Matters with the author of the above book. 
I couldn't remember her name.So.. her name is Suzanne Gordon.  The
full title is "From Silence to Voices: what nurses know and must communicate
to the public".  I was impressed.  Regards, Mary Murphy

Re: introduction

[Toni Cannard]

Coincidence??

 I've just spoken with Guild Insurance half an hour ago about the same 
concept - I'll post their comments when I hear their initial thoughts later 
today.

Love,
Toni

>From: Jackie Mawson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: Ozmidwifery List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Re: introduction
>Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 21:36:45 +0800
>
> > Couples getting ready for
> > home birth, take responsibility into their hands, "insuring" themselves 
>and
> > the baby.
>
>Wow! What an idea, don't you think?
>
>Birthing Beautifully,
>Jackie Mawson.
>
>Convenor of Birthrites: Healing After Caesarean Inc.
>Visit our Website at: http://www.birthrites.org
>Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Phone: 61 08 9418 8949
>
>Please note I am not a Professional Healthcare Provider, and all opinions
>given in this email are not to be taken as medical, or legal, advice. 
>Please
>seek such advice from the relevant professional service.
>
>Email me your postal details for a FREE copy of our quarterly magazine, if
>you live within Australia - Overseas postage costs are above budget, sorry!
>
>Too many Gods;
> so many creeds,
> Too many paths
>  that wind and
>  wind,
> When just the art
>  of being kind
>  Is all the sad
>   world needs...
>--
>
>
>--
>This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
>Visit  to subscribe or unsubscribe.


_
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Re: Bemused!

[Sally Westbury]

Hi Rhonda,

I too am disappointed that the board has not continued with your
complaint.

It is really sad that there is no conciliation only the hiding of the
truth. The medical fraternity gather themselves together to hide the
truth. We must keep gathering together to shine light on the truth. I
hope that even if your complaint did not have enough evidence (according
to the board!) you have given the Drs. involved a fright and pray that
they are more careful in the future.

It's all too sad and frustrating really.

BUT people like you who stand up, question and tell their stories do
change things. Give confidence and strength to other women to question
what happens to them and realize that they have a right to challenge the
Drs. There is much power in this.

I believe that in the end the power to change is held by consumers.
Battles between Drs and midwives look too much like a power struggle.
Women who stand up and say "this is what I want" make the difference.
Midwives stand with the women to say I support this.

In peace and joy
Sally Westbury
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Strategy Meeting re: PI Insurance for Midwives

[Natalie]

Sydney venue.Interested persons and groups are invited to a 
strategic planning session to discuss the midwives insurance issue.  
The meeting's objective is to consider possible solutions and to prioritise 
what actions are necessary to achieve them.A great deal of fantastic 
work has been done to date.  It is hoped that by involving both 
consumer and midwifery groups in this session we can be even more effective 
by pooling our resources and working cooperatively to gain further 
momentum.Meeting outcomes will be posted to ozmidwifery to enable 
everyone to benefit and to add further comments where 
appropriate.The meeting will be held on Friday 27 July 2001 from 7pm to 
9pm.Venue:  Valhalla Room, Dundas Valley Rugby Union Football 
Club35 Quarry Rd, Dundas Valley (02 9638 4589).  Tea & coffee 
available for $1.50.RSVP to [EMAIL PROTECTED]Meeting 
updates will be available on the news and events page at:www.homebirthaccesssydney.com.auThis 
meeting is being sponsored by the Australian Society of Independent Midwives 
and Homebirth Access Sydney.RegardsVirginia MiltrupHomebirth 
Access Sydney

possible strategy for building support

[Andrea Robertson]

Hi everyone,

When the midwives in New Zealand were trying to get the landmark changes 
regarding midwifery passed into law, they had a clever strategy that we 
might be able to use here.

The way to make the politicians sit up and take notice is to make it clear 
to them that these issues about women having the freedom to choose 
midwifery care and the Government's responsibilities to provide appropriate 
care are on lots of voter's agendas.

One way to build numbers of concerned voters is to enlist the help of all 
the women's organisations out there. This was done in NZ  through several 
steps:

* either midwives joined these groups or sought out a supportive existing 
member (lots of them had mothers who were members, for example).

* a standardised resolution stating the organisations support of women's 
freedom of choice for maternity care was prepared and sent to each of these 
members.

* the resolution was included on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting 
of each organisation, to be voted on as a matter of principal. I understand 
that this was quite easily done - everyone could support the resolution as 
it was worded and no-one wanted to see women's rights eroded.

* The names of the organisations that had supported the resolution were 
listed in the supporting documents when presented to politicians etc.

All kinds of women's groups were used: civic groups, church groups, women 
farmer's groups, school groups, political groups etc etc.

This might be a strategy worth considering here, given that there is an 
election in the offing and some of the Health Ministers don't seem to be 
too interested as yet.  We could pool our ideas on the groups to be 
approached and it is likely that through our own contacts or memberships we 
might find that we can gain access to many of them quite easily. Perhaps 
ACMI could put together a simple statement that states the basic issue that 
everyone could use. I feel sure that Karen Guilliland could dig up the 
wording of the NZ resolution if we asked her, and this might give us a 
starting point.

What do listers think?  Perhaps this could be discussed as a strategy at 
the Sydney meeting tonight?

Onwards.

Andrea

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Fw: professional indemnity insurance for maternity care providers

[Elizabeth McAlpine]

 
- Original Message - 
From: Elizabeth 
McAlpine 
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001 6:11 PM
Subject: professional indemnity insurance for maternity care 
providers

Dear Penny Gregory,
 
It would be appreciated if you forward this to the 
committee.
 
Elizabeth McAlpine
Al Corniche Hospital,
Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates.
 
8 Garton St.,
Carlton North,
Melbourne, 3054    
393874858
 
 
Dear Ministers,
 
I would appreciate midwives, as maternity care 
providers, being included in the agenda for professional indemnity 
insurance together with other members of the team, namely, GPs and 
obstetricians.
 
The interventionist and defensive practices of 
obstetricians has caused one of the highest rates of caesarian sections and 
inductions in the developed world, interference with normal physiological 
processes and physical and emotional suffering to thousands of 
women.   There is also inference to societal problems such as drug 
addiction, aggression, violence and adolescent suicide.
 
Obstetric practices are directly related to the 
following:-
 
 
1    the high cost of premiums and 
the variability in cost
 
2.   the demise of independent 
midwifery practice.
 
3.   the withdrawal of obstetric 
services in some areas.
 
4    the withdrawal of GP/obstetric 
services 
 
5    personal and professional 
suffering 
 
6    loss of practitioners to 
maternity services
 
 
I refer to the senate report, Rocking the 
Cradle',1999, which recommended, amongst many other things, the inquiry into 
medical indemnity and litigation, including the impact of litigation and 
indemnity on the provision and practice of obstetric 
services.   
 
Exemplary models of 'no-fault' clause, and social 
support for disability without recourse to courts and litigation, are New 
Zealand and the Netherlands. 
 
The insurance issue is a disgrace, an affront to 
the nation and the taxpayers, and requires concentrated effort by 
government for its resolution.  
 
yours sincerely,
Elizabeth McAlpine 
26 July, 2001
 
 
 
 
 
 

Re: introduction

[Jackie Mawson]

> Couples getting ready for
> home birth, take responsibility into their hands, "insuring" themselves and
> the baby.

Wow! What an idea, don't you think?

Birthing Beautifully,
Jackie Mawson.

Convenor of Birthrites: Healing After Caesarean Inc.
Visit our Website at: http://www.birthrites.org
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Phone: 61 08 9418 8949

Please note I am not a Professional Healthcare Provider, and all opinions
given in this email are not to be taken as medical, or legal, advice. Please
seek such advice from the relevant professional service.

Email me your postal details for a FREE copy of our quarterly magazine, if
you live within Australia - Overseas postage costs are above budget, sorry!

Too many Gods;
so many creeds,
Too many paths
 that wind and
 wind,
When just the art
 of being kind
 Is all the sad
  world needs...
--


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Re: introduction

[Mary Murphy]

There is ALWAYS hope!  We are working hard to establish the profession of
midwifery in the hearts and minds of this country and we WILL succeed... but
only with the co-operation and support of the women we serve,  Best wishes,
Mary Murphy


- Original Message -
From: "Vladimir Petruschenko" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2001 8:59 PM
Subject: introduction


> My name is Irina. I used to work as a family midwife in Saint-Petersburg
in
> Russia since 1995 until 1999 when I moved to Australia. That work was
based
> on the contract relations with a maternity hospital, continuity of care. I
> had a room in the hospital for antenatal visits and group childbearing
> sessions. Most of families had had chosen active non-intervention births
> using water. 20% of families had home births but that was out of the
> contract. In post-Perestroyka Russia, we do not have a very well developed
> insurance system like in Western countries. The problem with an
independent
> midwife's insurance does not exists there...yet. Couples getting ready for
> home birth, take responsibility into their hands, "insuring" themselves
and
> the baby. They follow a very strong principles of antenatal preparation.
> Getting my Australian qualifications in December, I am interested in an
> alternative models of midwifery care. That, what happened with independent
> midwives and their insurance was very painful for me.  Is there any hope?
>
> --
> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
> Visit  to subscribe or unsubscribe.
>

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Re: childbirth and maternity services

[Jackie Mawson]

Title: Re: childbirth and maternity services



At the April meeting of the RANZCOG Dr Lesley Barclay and her colleagues made a presentation on the Australian Midwifery Action Project. The Executive are very supportive of this project.

Wonderful! Isn’t it? I hope these professions come together to support each other. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see RANZCOG stand up for the midwives? That would be inspiring for us consumers to see 

Birthing Beautifully,
Jackie Mawson.

Convenor of Birthrites: Healing After Caesarean Inc.
Visit our Website at: http://www.birthrites.org
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Phone: 61 08 9418 8949

Please note I am not a Professional Healthcare Provider, and all opinions given in this email are not to be taken as medical, or legal, advice. Please seek such advice from the relevant professional service.

Email me your postal details for a FREE copy of our quarterly magazine, if you live within Australia - Overseas postage costs are above budget, sorry!

Too many Gods;
so many creeds,
Too many paths
 that wind and
 wind,
When just the art
 of being kind
 Is all the sad
  world needs...
-- 

No Subject

[Elizabeth McAlpine]

Just found, with great difficulty, Michael 
Wooldridge's feedback site which took me many attempts to submit a letter.  
I asked for the inclusion of midwives PI issue on 
the agenda at the health ministers advisory council meeting.   
Liz

introduction

[Vladimir Petruschenko]

My name is Irina. I used to work as a family midwife in Saint-Petersburg in
Russia since 1995 until 1999 when I moved to Australia. That work was based
on the contract relations with a maternity hospital, continuity of care. I
had a room in the hospital for antenatal visits and group childbearing
sessions. Most of families had had chosen active non-intervention births
using water. 20% of families had home births but that was out of the
contract. In post-Perestroyka Russia, we do not have a very well developed
insurance system like in Western countries. The problem with an independent
midwife's insurance does not exists there...yet. Couples getting ready for
home birth, take responsibility into their hands, "insuring" themselves and
the baby. They follow a very strong principles of antenatal preparation.
Getting my Australian qualifications in December, I am interested in an
alternative models of midwifery care. That, what happened with independent
midwives and their insurance was very painful for me.  Is there any hope? 

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Postnatal standards of care

[Philomena Canning]

Hi,
 
If anyone can help me with information on 
established standards of routine, community based postnatal visits for 
women giving birth at home and/or after discharge from hospital I would be very 
grateful. I'm particularly interested in standards for Britain, Holland, New 
Zealand and Canada. If standards for postnatal visits have been set by the WHO 
or ICM, I'd be glad to get this information as well.
 
Thanks,
  
Philomena Canning
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 

thankyou

[Sally Tracy]

Thankyou to all who offered info I requested  - putting together
submission which we hope to get on the Health Minister's agenda.
sally t

--
Sally K Tracy
Australian Midwifery Action Project (AMAP)


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Fw: childbirth and maternity services

[Elizabeth McAlpine]

well  - I didn't know that ..
- Original Message - 
From: Valerie 

To: 'Elizabeth McAlpine' 
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001 9:30 AM
Subject: RE: childbirth and maternity services


Dear Ms McAlpine
Before replying to your e-mail I needed to have discussions with Dr 
Duke,Honorary Secretary RANZCOG. Dr Duke informed me that both the 
President and Honorary Secretary have held discussions with the President and 
Research Officer of the Australian College of Midwives Inc and provided support 
for the recent ACMI Senate submission.
At the April meeting of the RANZCOG Dr Lesley Barclay and her colleagues made 
a presentation on the Australian Midwifery Action Project. The Executive are 
very supportive of this project.
 The RANZCOG and ACMI are working co-operatively to address these 
important issues
Valerie Jenkins Manager, Fellowship Services The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of 
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 254 - 260 Albert Street EAST MELBOURNE 
Telephone + 61 3 9251 9048 
Fax  + 61 3 
9415 9306 
 

  -Original Message-From: Elizabeth McAlpine 
  [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]Sent: Wednesday, 25 July 2001 
  17:50To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: Fw: childbirth 
  and maternity services
  This in response to 'Birth Services in 
  crisis.', Sydney Morning Herald, July 24th, 2001.
   
  What do you think??
  - Original Message - 
  From: Elizabeth 
  McAlpine 
  To: ozmidwifery 
  Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 1:54 PM
  Subject: Fw: childbirth and maternity services
  
   
  - Original Message - 
  From: Elizabeth 
  McAlpine 
  To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
  Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 1:19 PM
  Subject: childbirth and maternity services
  
  
  Dear 
  Mark Robinson & editor,
   
  I 
  refer to the article, ‘Birth Services in 
  crisis as high fees force out doctor’, July 
  24th,2001.  
   
  ‘The 
  cost of professional indemnity insurance forces an obstetrician to cease 
  practice, an AMA survey of 292 specialists reveals that more than half were 
  thinking of quitting or have already done so’.  
   
  The 
  insurance issue is a disgrace, but why are premiums so high and why do they 
  vary so much??
  Could 
  it be how obstetricians practice?  
  Australia has one of the highest rates of caesarian sections and 
  inductions in the developed world.  
  Obstetricians practice defensive obstetrics and intervene far too much 
  in normal physiological birth.   
  The fear of litigation causes many obstetricians to decline to help 
  midwives in their independent midwifery practice.  
  However, 
  independent midwifery practice is now eliminated due to the withdrawal of 
  professional indemnity insurance because “the area of childbirth is highly 
  litigious”.    This is 
  true for obstetrics, but not for midwifery, and obstetrics has caused the 
  downfall of independent midwifery.
   
  Maternity 
  services are in a sorry state in Australia, with women having almost no choice 
  in where or how they birth their babies.
  Over 
  80% of women can birth normally, and the most suitable care provider, as 
  recommended by the WHO and supported by research evidence, is the 
  midwife.  The role of the midwife 
  is as the guardian of normal birth; to protect, guard, guide, and, most 
  importantly, not to disturb.  
  Giving birth is a physiological process and obstetricians have to learn 
  not to disturb it.   They 
  have to learn that women need to be consulted about where and how they birth, 
  and with discussions of interventionist practices and risks to include 
  evidence based research.   
  Litigation often results from the woman’s unanswered questions – why 
  something happened and what caused it?
  Obstetricians 
  are required to provide advice and support to midwives if required, during the 
  care of these women, and for the 20% of women unable to achieve normal birth, 
  or at high risk due to disease or conditions peculiar to pregnancy.   Their high skill training makes 
  it an absurdity to deal with normal, healthy, low risk women, and their 
  various commitments make it impossible for them to be with each woman during 
  childbirth.
   
  The 
  senate report, ‘Rocking the Cradle’, 1999, made many recommendations regarding 
  changes in childbirth. One of them was the recommendation to establish an independent inquiry 
  into medical indemnity and litigation, including the impact of litigation and indemnity on 
  the provision and practice of obstetric services. 
  
   
  It is 
  high time the government took action and resolved this issue of professional 
  indemnity insurance.   New 
  Zealand did it by way of a ‘no-fault’ clause, which provides for disability 
  when required, without recourse to litigation. 
  
   
   
  Yours 
  sincerely,
   
  Elizabeth 
  McAlpine
  24th 
  July, 2001
   
   
   
   
   

Re: URGENT Lobbying re insurance - health ministers Meeting

[Roslyn Donnellan - Fernandez]

Dear Barb & all

The Minister For Human Services in SA has apparently requested preparation
of a "briefing paper" from the Department re the midwifery indemnity issue,
so I agree it is timely & worthwhile to pursue this course with a view to
getting it on the agenda at the National Health Ministers meeting on August
1'st.

Regards
Roz Donnellan - Fernandez
Self Employed Community Midwife (Adelaide, South Australia)
- Original Message -
From: Vernon at Stringybark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: ozmid <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001 5:08 PM
Subject: URGENT Lobbying re insurance - health ministers Meeting


>
> Dear List,
>
> State & federal health ministers are meeting next Wed 1 August.
> Professional indemnity insrance for gps and obstetricians is on the
agenda.
> If people in each State could lobby their Minister in the next few days we
> might succeed in getting the meeting to at least recognize that this issue
> needs to be extended to include midwives!!
>
> For some background read on.
>
> On tuesday 25 July, a group of us from the ACT Branch of Maternity
Coalition
> met with the ACT Health Minister Michael Moore to lobby him re the
midwifery
> insurance issue.  The meeting was as expected but nonetheless
disappointing.
> Moore was totally disinterested - claiming too much else to do - not a
> priority etc.  Also said he did not see it as a government responsibility
to
> provide women with choices re maternity care!!!  We pointed out that they
> are responsible in this for 2 reasons:
>
> 1. they are currently forcing women to choose the high tech medical model
by
> not providing or supporting alternatives (limited places at the 1 birth
> centre in Canberra and no support or visiiting rights for independent
> midwives)
>
> 2. by forcing women to take the medical route they are wasting taxpayers
> dollars since the highest numbers of admissions to hospitals are birthing
> women and the majority of women don't need to be there.
>
> Our arguments fell on deaf ears but we did learn one relevant thing -
there
> is to be a meeting of the National Health Ministers Council next Wednesday
> (1August) and professional indemnity insurance for GPs and obstetricians
is
> on the agenda!!
>
> We pushed for ACT Minister to include midwives under this agenda item with
> limited success.  He would only promise to 'see if the opportunity
arises'.
>
> If other state health ministers are primed on extending consideration of
> indemnity insurance from doctors to midwives then there might be some hope
> that this meeting could at least begin consideration of the insurance
crisis
> in relation to midwives.
>
> I would be happy to provide anyone who is interested with a copy of the
> briefing paper Maternit Coalition ACT used for our meeting with the ACT
> Minister for Health.
>
> yours in activism,
>
> Barb Vernon
>
>
>
>
> --
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> Visit  to subscribe or unsubscribe.
>

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From Silence To Voices

[Mary Murphy]

In an earlier email I spoke abut the interview on Life Matters with the 
author of the above book.  I couldn't remember her name.So.. her name is 
Suzanne Gordon.  The full title is "From Silence to Voices: what nurses 
know and must communicate to the public".  I was impressed.  Regards, 
Mary Murphy

H.A.S BIRTH STORIES BOOK

[Natalie]

HOMEBIRTH ACCESS 
SYDNEY
 
presents
 
BIRTH STORIES
 
The stories in this volume celebrate the power of 
birth, the
magnificence of women's bodies, the importance of 
the
spiritual, emotional and psychological 
intricacies of birth,
and the significance of labouring and birthing at 
home.
 
Women-mothers talk about their greatest 
achievement:
the miracle of birth.
 
Order your copy 
now!
 
Cost - $25.00 plus $4.50 postage & 
handling
 
Contact: Jo 
Hunter
ph: 02 4751 9840
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 

RE: gathering facts around Prof. Indemnity Issue

[Johnston]

There have been many messages around this project.  Well done everyone, and 
don't give up.  There has to be a way to ensure that women can access best 
practice midwifery care, and that midwives can practice midwifery.  My 
thoughts are with those who meet in Sydney tomorrow.

Remember there is no law that enshrines a right to choice. (the notion of 
choice in maternity services has been promoted as what women want, along 
with control and continuity of care - Changing Childbirth in the UK.  Women 
have to demand what they think is appropriate.) The law recognises a 
competent person's right of refusal of medical treatment, but not a right 
to dictate what a provider should do.

However there is a longstanding ethic of doing good and not doing harm.  We 
can argue that the evidence for midwife primary care and against the 
Australian obstetric model should compel providers of maternity services to 
promote (not just offer) midwife primary care.

Our Commonwealth government has put in place the Competition Policy 
Agreement, and the ACCC as the watchdog body.  Prof Fels and his colleagues 
have acted decisively on many other matters. Statements about competition 
and health care - that it should be the consumer's choice, and not the 
judgment of the provider, what services are available UNLESS it can be 
clearly demonstrated that people will be harmed by removal of restrictions 
to competition - these need to be taken seriously.

Last night on the ABC (3LO) radio program about midwives, Sandy Gray from 
the NZCOM stated that New Zealand now has evidence of falling rates of 
neonatal mortality in the decade since 1990.  That's very supportive 
evidence, and I want to get my hands on it!

I have counted all the signatures that have come it for the Midwifery 
Campaign petition. We are well over 1200.  Please continue to collect these 
signatures.  You can download a petition form from the website 
www.maternitycoalition.org.au   The petition will support our claims when  
 we speak to the policy makers.

Keep up the good work everyone, and keep a clear vision of the goal
Joy Johnston


Ps I have been told by a reliable person that RCNA is very unhappy about 
the Guild decision about midwives.  Guild has sent the letter of notice 
that they will not renew policies to midwives who are not even in clinical 
practice, as well as the IPMs.

-Original Message-
From:   Jan Robinson [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent:   Thursday, July 26, 2001 6:48 AM
To: Sally Tracy
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject:Re: gathering facts around Prof. Indemnity Issue

 << File: ATT0.htm >> << File: Meeting_Agenda.doc >> << File: 
ATT1.txt >> Dear Sally

Questions asked of ASIM members revealed most of the Victorian
members were insured with ANF so I don't know about payouts from them.

ALLEGED PAYOUTS
The only payout I heard of was in SA where they was a very small
payout (after 4  years of investigating) from an IPM where a woman
alleging she was in part responsible for her post-natal depression.
(the midwife stated she had borrowed money for the payout).There was
a payout from the hospital and the doctor involved as well. The
payout was given in order that the woman took her complaints no
further.

As far as I can gather there have been numerous complaints against
midwives from medicos (mostly through the AMA). Both Hope Island and
Guild have had to pay their lawyers to investigate these claims.
That is why the PI funds are running low. (no payouts though)

STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS
I have contacted both the office of the Minister and the Chief Nurse
to be informed they are aware and 'working on this issue'. Both the
Minister, the Chief Nurse, the Executive Director of the Dept of
Health (or their representatives) have been invited to the meeting at
Dundas on Friday evening.

THE FINAL STRAW
All ASIMNSW IPMs who are insured have agreed to tell their clients
they will no longer be able to support them after their insurance
runs out and they will have to seek care at their local hospital.
This has bought on an outcry which I hope will be heard at the
meeting Friday evening.

Sally, you would be most welcome to attend the meeting, it has been
remiss of me in not inviting you before this. The stress of all this
alongside practice pressures has been put a great strain on the brain
cells, so your presence and support at the meeting would be
appreciated.

Attached is the amended agenda for the midwifery insurance meeting.

It will be held from 7pm to 9pm on Friday, 27 July 2001.
The venue will be:

Valhalla Room
Dundas Valley Rugby Union Football Club
35 Quarry Road, Dundas Valley (9638 4589)
Tea and Coffee will be $1.50

RSVP to Virginia Miltrup at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 02 9477 2740.





>Apart from the negotiations the College (ACMI) is involved in .
>
>Does anybody have any info on payouts - large or small  - for
>midwife associated cases within the past ten or fifteen years?
>Has anybody received any encou

RE: health insurance

[Grant and Louise]

 
Terry, I live in NSW.
Aust. Unity have midwifery coverage in their 
hospital cover, I know NIB and NRMA have it in extras. 
Aust Unity also have built into the hospital cover 
free home visits from a midwife and 
cooking/childcare/transport/nappies/nappyservice, the extent of which depends on 
delivery type and length of stay in hospital/birthcentre.
Recently Jan wrote to the list saying ASIM had 
meetings soon with higher profile funds (?HCF  
etc)  
Louise Dimmock McLeod
 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Rhonda

[Anne Clarke]

Dear Rhonda,
 
Big hugs over the internet.  So frustrating 
for you.  You are a wonderful strong woman to do so much and achieve so 
much, yes you have.  Those involved just maybe think twice before they 
abuse another woman like they have you
 
Regards and lots of love,
Anne Clarke
Brisbane