Dear all
I'm a midwife and academic in Perth Western Australia (WA). I'm paid to
co-ordinate the midwifery programs at Curtin University. Combining the
roles of clinician, researcher and academic is difficult! I've developed a
research interest in homebirth. A colleague and I were responsible for the
evaluation of the Commonwealth funded Alternative Birthing Services Program
(ABSP) in Western Australia (about $10 million dollars in total). It was
supposed to fund a range of alternative birthing services. One of its most
successful projects enabled women to have publicly funded homebirths.
Before this, only those with the Aust. $1500 could have this birthing
option. We evaluated this program too!
I'm also desperately trying to complete my PhD. early next year (if I
survive that long). It's a social policy analysis and interpretive critique
of homebirth services in WA. Its intent is to explore the processes whereby
independent midwifery practice is restricted or enabled by state
bureaucratic organisations. Through an exploration of the historical,
social, political and economic influences on the politics of midwifery I've
provided alternative perspectives from which to view the status quo. I've
used several of the ABSP projects as case studies to illustrate the changing
power relations between the health bureaucracy, medical profession,
consumers and the midwives and how these impact on the organisation of
maternity services. I'm particularly interested in the position of the
bureaucracy because it has either 'sat on the fence' or stayed out of the
debate between the medical and midwifery professions. So, by its passivity
it serves the interests of the medical profession which is not supportive of
homebirth or midwives in private practice.
Carol
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