The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) welcomes the introduction of legislation to repeal the unpopular “collaborative arrangement” requirements for midwives and nurse practitioners. Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care the Hon. Ged Kearney MP has today introduced the Health Legislation Amendment for ‘Removal of Requirement for a Collaborative Arrangement’ Bill into Parliament ending a decade long barrier to access to Medicare rebates for care provided by Endorsed Midwives and Nurse Practitioners. Women will reap the benefits of the change through removal of red tape meaning increased ability to obtain Medicare rebates for midwifery care and greater access to the PBS. It is also expected to improve access to maternity care in rural and remote areas where endorsed midwives can provide increased choice for women.
ACM’s Chief Midwife Alison Weatherstone has praised the Government for introducing the change which has been sought by midwives for over a decade.
“Endorsed midwives are overjoyed,” Ms Weatherstone stated.
“There has been a requirement for a midwife to enter into an agreement with a doctor, which effectively, was at the discretion of the doctor. This has been a barrier to care for a midwife and in some areas has prevented midwives from working independently and prevented women from obtaining a Medicare rebate for the care. We are very pleased that government has acted.”
Midwives around the country have lobbied hard for the removal of the arrangement which some referred to as a ‘medical veto’ to care.
“Unfortunately, these arrangements added a layer of red tape that was not necessary.”
“Midwives work to their scope of practice and are required to consult and refer to obstetricians and other medical practitioners as needed. They do not need this extra paperwork in place to work effectively with doctors.”
The Collaborative Arrangement Bill has been read for the first time today by Assistant Minister Kearney.
Assistant Minister Kearney said “the change is long overdue and one that just makes sense. Nurse practitioners and midwives have worked hard to get their qualifications and we need to make sure that they can work to their full scope of practice.”