Dear Colleagues,

 

Does anyone plan to respond to the ABC new piece this morning about the increase in birth trauma being experienced by women?  They mentioned overmedicalisation and it was appropriate that they mentioned continuity of midwifery carer, however, of concern/alarm to me was the follow up comment citing “the AMA states [continuity is] expensive”!

 

My questions/concerns:

1. As a long-term member of the ACM I’d like to know if they were approached for comment?  If not, why?  Do they plan to respond?
2. Why does the ABC think the AMA is the authority on maternity care economics (and/or continuity)?
3. Can anyone respond with authoritative cost evidence?  Comment on the trauma experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women/families in the maternity services in addition to that experienced by other women?
4. Even if the statement is correct that continuity is more expensive in the short term, the cost savings need to be referenced/highlighted…

 

All in all fake news.  Grateful for a well-supported response, I feel like making a complaint to the ABC…

 

Best wishes,

Penny

 

Penny Haora
RM MPH PhD

Building on Our Strengths (BOOSt) Study (Mon - Thurs)

Waminda South Coast Women's Health & Welfare Aboriginal Corporation

Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, College of Nursing & Midwifery, Charles Darwin University 

T: +61 2 4421 7400
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CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY
Nowra NSW, Australia
CRICOS Provider No. 00300K (NT/VIC) I 03286A (NSW) | RTO Provider No. 0373
 

Latest paper from the team: Kildea, S., Gao, Y., Hickey, S., Kruske, S., Nelson, C., Blackman, R., Tracy, S., Hurst, C., Williamson, D. & Y. Roe (2019) Reducing preterm birth amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies: A prospective cohort study, Brisbane, Australia. EClinical Medicine – A Lancet Publication. [Available online]

  

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