Commonwealth Initiatives in Midwifery

1
Commonwealth Initiativesin Midwifery

• Rosemary Bryant
• Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer
• Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing

2
Final Report MSR

• Improving choice and collaborative care
• Improving the evidence base
• Increasing role of and support for midwives
• Improving support and info for women

3
Budget 2009/10

• 120 million package
• Access to MBS and PBS by 1 Nov 2010
• Government-supported PII scheme
• Expansion of MSOAP
• More training for midwives and GPs
• Expansion of pregnancy helpline
• Cross-professional guidance for collaborative
  care
• National maternity data collection

4
Details still to be determined

• Collaborative arrangements
• What is meant by eligible midwife?
• The list of MBS items available
• The list of PBS medicines
• The PII scheme

5
National Registration and Accreditation (NRAS)

• March 08 COAG signs IGA
• June 09 Bill B released for public comment
• August 09 appointments announced for 10 new
  national boards
• Sept 09 transitional clause re PII exemption

6
Transitional clause re PII

• Privately practising midwives exempted for 2yrs
  from holding PII as long as
• Full disclosure is provided
• Each home birth is reported
• Midwife participates in SQ framework

7
Overview maternity reforms

• Build on Australias strong SQ record
• Support collaborative care
• Increase choice
• Solution requires CW leadership but involvement
  of all stakeholders

8

• Thank you!
• Rosemary.Bryant_at_health.gov.au