Media Release

16 August 2005

Congratulations Minister Abbott

The ANF today congratulated the Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott on his expression of interest in extending a Medicare provider number to midwives.

'Women having babies in Australia will benefit from a choice in care for low risk births,' ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said.

'A provider number for midwives would also assist in meeting the demand for birthing services in rural and remote Australia.'

'It is well documented that countries where midwives play a bigger role in managing pregnancy and childbirth have lower costs and fewer interventions by doctors, including caesarean deliveries.

'However, Minister Abbott also needs to consider providing indemnity insurance for midwives providing home birth services.

'The medical indemnity crisis in Australia has affected the capacity of midwives to provide birthing services to women in the community.

'Insurance cover for midwives was a notable exclusion from the Australian Government's Medical Indemnity package released in October 2002, despite repeated calls from nursing, midwifery and community groups for its inclusion.

'Doctors and obstetricians are only part of the equation when it comes to providing the best health care solutions for mothers and babies.'

The ANF said it would welcome discussions with the Australian Government as to how they can assist Australia's midwives in private practice to continue providing birthing services for women.

The ANF, representing 145,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses in Australia.

Media inquiries:

Jill Iliffe, ANF Federal Secretary: 0419 576 590
Ged Cowin, ANF Assistant Federal Secretary: 0417 053 322
Heather Witham, ANF Federal Communications Officer: 0417 359 907