** This thread discusses the Content article: Conflicting Opinions On Maternity Reform Legislation **



New Federal legislation will allow nurse practitioners and eligible midwives prescription rights and access to the Medical Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This means that the patients of nurses and midwives will be eligible to receive rebates for medication they are prescribed after 1 November, 2010.



However, concerns have been raised that corresponding legislation relating to professional indemnity insurance for midwives may limit the choices available to women who wish to give birth at home. Under the new legislation, all practising health professionals will be required to have indemnity insurance, something private midwives do not have access to.



To address this situation, a government-supported professional indemnity scheme will be established for 'eligible' midwives. But in order to be eligible for the indemnity scheme, which will be available from 1 July 2010, a midwife must be working in collaboration with an obstetrician or GP and only performing deliveries in approved clinical settings.



Homebirth advocacy groups claim that this will endanger the health of women who choose to give birth at home by denying them access to midwives.



The government maintains that the new legislation, which forms part of its $120.5 million maternity reform package, will improve the quality and safety of maternity services and increase the choices available to Australian women.

WILL CRY. unbelievable. approved clinical settings. meaning that despite homes being clean, less chance of infection, and leaving women calmer we will all be forced to go to hospital and clinics to give birth. no matter how homelike these are they will never be the same as your own home, an environment you know well and are relaxed in, where family members can be there, or not, or arrive, relax etc. will cry again.