Latest News from the College

Media Release 31 October 2007

Birth - miracle, rite of passage, life process – but also big business

On Saturday the 3^rd of November 2007, 7pm at Paddington Town Hall, the internationally acclaimed film, The Business of Being Born will be shown for the first time in Australia. This exclusive event includes a cocktail party gala reception and introduction to the film by special guest Ricki Lake (Executive producer and actor) and Abby Epstein (Director). Sheila Kitzinger internationally renowned author and childbirth advocate will give the keynote address. The film, being shown as part of the Homebirth Australia Conference, will shock and inspire.

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Media Release 30 October 2007

Rural Action on Maternity “Overdue”

The Rural Health Action week was launched by a collaborative team of rural health organisations on Sunday with a call to both parties to make specific commitments to rural health in the election lead up.  President of the Australian College of Midwives, Professor Pat Brodie said that it was no secret to the government that rural maternity services were in crisis.  “Services are closing, women are birthing on the side of the road and there has been no focus on rural maternity services at this point in a Federal election campaign.”  Figures indicate that more babies are born on the side of the road in Australia than there are planned homebirths.

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Media Release 28 October 2007

Key rural, health and consumer organisations are joining forces this week to urge the major political parties to do more to improve health outcomes for rural Australians, improve access to local rural hospitals and health services, and get and keep more health professionals in rural Australia.

National Rural Health Action Week runs from today until Monday 5 November. It is designed to put rural health at the top of the agenda for local rural candidates during the election campaign, and to remind the political parties that rural Australians take the future of their local health services very seriously and will vote accordingly on polling day.

More than 13,000 extra health professionals — 1000 additional doctors, 5400 additional nurses, 600 additional midwives, and over 6100 additional allied health professionals — are needed urgently in rural and remote Australia just to meet basic healthcare needs.

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Media Release 8 October 2007

LABOR’S POSTNATAL PLANS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

The ALP’s plan announced over the weekend to screen women for Postnatal Depression (PND) once during pregnancy and once during the first six weeks after birth if elected, is a welcome step in the right direction, Australian College of Midwives (ACM) National President, Professor Pat Brodie said today. 

"Research by beyondblue has confirmed that large numbers of women experience problems with anxiety and depression in pregnancy and after birth every year.  This often goes undetected and untreated, with terrible consequences for new mothers and their families.  The College commends the ALP for its commitment to addressing this issue.” Professor Brodie said. 

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Media Release 8 May 2008

Warning NT is falling behind as the world celebrates midwives’ day

As midwives around the world celebrate the enormous contribution of their profession to the health of childbearing women and their families, here in the Territory questions are being raised about why so few women have access to one-to-one continuity of care by a midwife.  

There are 1100 midwives registered in the NT and only a small percentage is in practice  

The Australian College of Midwives (NT Branch) is concerned that midwives are being underutilized in the Territory’s maternity services.  

At present nurses who are not qualified to practice midwifery are being employed in midwifery positions in NT public hospitals, while skilled midwives are unable to provide women with midwifery care and services. Some of the reasons are: restrictive legislation, medical monopoly especially in NT public hospitals, and the lack of opportunities for midwives to provide primary care to women and their families.