14 Days before the first of July.  The day that every midwife needs insurance to be admitted onto the national register. Commonwealth insurance requires us to have a collaborative agreement and hospital practicing rights. Hospitals all over the country have been contacted and in this research there hasn’t been a single hospital that has a plan to offer either of these things pivotal to the government plan.  We already know that this is impossible  as explained in some of my previous posts. Here is a typical example of the replies received.

To whom it may concern

Hi Kate, its ***** from the ******** hospital regarding your earlier phone call.  I have spoken to the head of obstetrics and he said that we do not participate in collaborative agreements. However we do have a homebirth program and you are welcome to come in, book in and have a consult to discuss your requirements.

What does this mean for my homebirth please?

Can anyone answer us, What does it mean for homebirth and what does it mean for a midwife practicing privately?

This is a mess, the commonwealth insurance is owned by Medics and the rules surrounding this insurance were  written by the health department.   Everything that the health department promised the wouldn’t do they have pushed forward with while lying to midwives and women and then keeping it a secret until the last minute.

Well it is the last minute and the situation is unworkable.

We cannot accept the loss of autonomy and the ownership of women’s bodies and their birth.

I know the answer   We need an amnesty until this is sorted out.  Midwives are booked until February, women need a guarantee that their midwife is able to attend them.     Until this is workable for women and midwives our hands are tied.

Related posts:

1. Collaboration and the midwife
2. Coming Under The Knife
3. Collaboration
4. have a problem? what’s the solution?
5. Quality & Safety Framework and Eligibity