[Greens-Media] Midwife crisis - it starts with pay

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey MEDIA RELEASE
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Fri 26 May 06


Midwife crisis - it starts with pay

ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey today has put the responsibility for the critical shortage of midwives in the ACT firmly in the ACT government's court.

"The shortage of midwives is leading to fewer options for women, and greater costs to the ACT budget" Dr Foskey said today.

"Midwives at the Canberra Birthing Centre are paid less than those in the Maternity Ward.

"The Birthing Centre is often unable to meet demand already. However, the lower pay rate is making it difficult to recruit new midwives or even to temporarily fill the gaps from midwives in the ward upstairs."

"In warning of an upcoming shortage of midwives in the ACT (CT 24 May), Dr Andrew Foote, ACT Branch President of the AMA, said that 'the emphasis should be on natural childbirth with medical intervention only if necessary'."

"Unfortunately the ACT Government has refused to provide support for independent midwives, making home births more difficult to arrange."

"It has also rejected other key recommendations of 'A pregnant pause', the Assembly committee inquiry into maternity services, such as a more comprehensive and better coordinated approach to midwife led childbirth."  

"This is particularly unfortunate as midwife led care is both preferred by many women, and much less expensive than the medicalised model - as the New Zealand experience shows."

"Since governments are trying to limit spiralling health costs, we suggest that new health minister Katy Gallagher revisit maternity services, paying particular regard to the Assembly report and the views of midwives and women having babies" Dr Foskey said. 

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Roland Manderson   Media Advisor
ACT   Greens    MLA  Deb  Foskey  
Legislative Assembly for the ACT 
ph(02)62050551      m 0412241379
==== www.act.greens.org.au ===== 
  
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