February 06, 2003

Midwifery revolution in the private health care sector

Midwifery is at last being recognised as being every bit as viable for private hospitals as obstetrics has traditionally been. In Australia, Mayne Health, who operate 29 maternity units across the country, have announced that they will trial midwifery care alongside obstetric care as options for women choosing to give birth at Selangor Private Hospital in Nambour, Queensland.

This is a major breakthrough - the first time that midwives will be able to work in the private sector as independent practitioners in the same way as their obstetric colleagues. The obstetricians at this innovative unit are supportive of this plan, which already has a strong midwifery philosophy underpinning its excellent outcomes.

The program is not yet ready to roll as the details of funding and patient payments etc has yet to be finalised. The potential for midwifery is enormous and the outlook for women choosing to use the private sector (and their health insurance) will be improved.

I’ve been reviewing the birth outcome statistics in NSW over the past few days (more in the next Diary entry) and I can only say that I am appalled. Women who choose private medical care and private hospitals in this State have a very small chance of achieving a normal birth and every likelihood they will have an instrumental birth or caesarean section.

Let’s hope that Mayne Health can lead the way and offer real competition to the obstetricians who have dominated birth practices in the private sector. There seems to be an attitude amongst obstetricians generally that once a patient is safely locked in to their list (that is, once she’s paid her booking fee) they can manage her as they wish. Over servicing, scare-mongering as a means of coercion and the use of non evidence based practices are rife. The figures for outcomes tell the story very vividly.

New ways of doing things are desperately needed and it is wonderful that there is glimmer of light at the end of the private health care tunnel.

Posted by andrea at February 06, 2003 03:47 PM

Comments

Hi Andrea,
I finished my midwifery January this year. I did my grad diploma at UTS under the guidance of Nicky Leap etc(midwifery legend!!). I am presently working as a midwife at St. George Private in Sydney. Needless to say in this particular environment I am finding midwifery a great "challenge".
My parents live in Brisbane and I am keen to return back there. Would Selangor Private be a good place for me to continue my work as a midwife? Like I said, I am feeling very disillusioned about midwifery at the moment.
I would appreciate any advice you can give me.
Your Sincerely,
Kate Whelan

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