AM
31-01-2008, 19:05
This Media release from 'What Women Want' (Political Party committed to birth reform)
QUOTE:
Media Release
Thursday January 31 2008
Contact: Justine Caines 0408 21 02 73
Health Ministerıs Meet: But Are They Ready to Stop the Rorting?
Today, Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon will meet with her state
counterparts to discuss Laborıs health reform agenda.
Recently in The Australian, Ms Roxon was quoted as saying
"We do understand that there is a legitimate claim for more money for
hospital services, but we also need to be much smarter about how we provide
a range of other services that could keep people out of hospital, that could
make their transition in and out of hospital better."
Childbirth accounts for the greatest number of hospital bed day stays. With
a considerable rise in elective caesarean surgery, it has also placed
considerable strain on the elective surgery waiting list.
³In NSW there is anecdotal evidence that the rise in caesarean surgery has
prevented serious cardiac operations from taking place, due to lack of
theatre space.² said Justine Caines, Leader of the political party, What
Women Want.²
³There has been a huge amount said on this issue, but essentially no
solution raised, despite health consumer groups providing compelling
arguments for decades.² said Ms Caines
Under Minister Abbott, Obstetric payments from Medicare increased by 269
percent. Although this is clearly an abuse of public funds, nothing has
been done to stem it and we have not seen any plan from Ms Roxon to
challenge this.² said Ms Caines
Currently the maternity system is a closed shop controlled by Obstetricians.
This is why we have seen the skyrocketing caesarean rate. said Ms Caines
Not one Government has been prepared to take on the might of these medicos.
There have been 35 inquiries/papers into maternity services since 1985 and
yet little has changed
³Many inquiries have called on a federal funding arrangement for Australian
midwives. Midwifery care has been proven to keep childbirth as a normal
life event, preventing many of the current unnecessary interventions.² said
Ms Caines
If Ms Roxon bowed to the pressure of evidence, cost effectiveness and
consumer satisfaction she would announce a national funding scheme for
Australian midwives.² said Ms Caines
If Australian women were able to choose a midwife there could be a reduction
in hospital bed day stays of approx 360,000 with a cost of over 200
million.
(ends)
www.whatwomenwant.org.au
QUOTE:
Media Release
Thursday January 31 2008
Contact: Justine Caines 0408 21 02 73
Health Ministerıs Meet: But Are They Ready to Stop the Rorting?
Today, Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon will meet with her state
counterparts to discuss Laborıs health reform agenda.
Recently in The Australian, Ms Roxon was quoted as saying
"We do understand that there is a legitimate claim for more money for
hospital services, but we also need to be much smarter about how we provide
a range of other services that could keep people out of hospital, that could
make their transition in and out of hospital better."
Childbirth accounts for the greatest number of hospital bed day stays. With
a considerable rise in elective caesarean surgery, it has also placed
considerable strain on the elective surgery waiting list.
³In NSW there is anecdotal evidence that the rise in caesarean surgery has
prevented serious cardiac operations from taking place, due to lack of
theatre space.² said Justine Caines, Leader of the political party, What
Women Want.²
³There has been a huge amount said on this issue, but essentially no
solution raised, despite health consumer groups providing compelling
arguments for decades.² said Ms Caines
Under Minister Abbott, Obstetric payments from Medicare increased by 269
percent. Although this is clearly an abuse of public funds, nothing has
been done to stem it and we have not seen any plan from Ms Roxon to
challenge this.² said Ms Caines
Currently the maternity system is a closed shop controlled by Obstetricians.
This is why we have seen the skyrocketing caesarean rate. said Ms Caines
Not one Government has been prepared to take on the might of these medicos.
There have been 35 inquiries/papers into maternity services since 1985 and
yet little has changed
³Many inquiries have called on a federal funding arrangement for Australian
midwives. Midwifery care has been proven to keep childbirth as a normal
life event, preventing many of the current unnecessary interventions.² said
Ms Caines
If Ms Roxon bowed to the pressure of evidence, cost effectiveness and
consumer satisfaction she would announce a national funding scheme for
Australian midwives.² said Ms Caines
If Australian women were able to choose a midwife there could be a reduction
in hospital bed day stays of approx 360,000 with a cost of over 200
million.
(ends)
www.whatwomenwant.org.au