Midwifery legislation in South Australia
Sandra Kanck is a politician (Democrats) in South Australia who really understands midwifery. For many years she has championed their cause, attending their functions, officiating at special midwifery events and working hard in the Parliament to have midwifery recognised through legislation.
Today I have received a Press Release from her office, announcing a very important step forward along the road towards the acceptance of midwifery as a mainstream healthcare option for women in SA. This is what is says:
Wednesday 14th September 2005
OF MIDWIFE BORN
In a "cut to the chase, Minister" move South Australian Democrats Leader, Sandra Kanck, will today introduce the Midwives Bill 2005.
"This legislation is long overdue," says Ms Kanck.
"South Australian women want and deserve better access to midwifery services and this legislation is needed to ensure that happens. Witness the number of women clamouring for the limited places in the WCH Midwifery Group Practice.
"Further it makes sense, from a public policy perspective, for an increasing number of births to be managed by midwives rather than obstetricians
"Obstetricians are the experts best able to handle high-risk, abnormal and complex births. Midwives provide expert, highly cost-effective care to healthy women during pregnancy, birth and during the post-partum period.
"Since the beginning of this year South Australia has had a group of Midwives who are licensed to practice under the Nurses Act but who are not trained as nurses; they are graduates of direct-entry midwifery courses.
"The Bill provides for the registration of midwives and midwifery students; to regulate midwifery for the purpose of maintaining high standards of competence and conduct by midwives and midwifery students in South Australia; and for other purposes.
"It's not really controversial yet getting the Rann Government to support this legislation has proven a most difficult birth process.
"This Bill will pave the way for SA's own purpose-trained midwives to be registered, recognised and regulated in their own right," said Ms Kanck.
I am not sure how long it will take for this legislation to pass (let’s hope that it does), but it is wonderful step forward. South Australians are lucky to have such support in the Government.