Page 982 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 March 1990
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I think it is churlish in the extreme when we see Mr Berry coming forward with this critical motion - or, at least, critical in its intent - and making not one word of praise or recognition or congratulation to this Government, which has finally bitten the bullet and finally provided the service that he has been crying about for some time and which he, when in government, was not able to provide to the people of Canberra. That is pretty low behaviour, and I think that the amendment that I put forward will adequately cover the omission in Mr Berry's motion.
Obstetric services should include a range of care which extends across the needs of women experiencing normal birth to those who experience complications or who are in high risk groups. Demand for birthing centre facilities has arisen from women's concerns at increased technological intervention in the normal birthing process and the perception of birthing as an illness, which, of course, it is not.
Birthing centres promote a philosophy of care which encourages involvement of the family. They are based on minimal intervention and promote pregnancy and childbirth as normal and healthy life events for the majority of women. I think the arguments and the advantages of a birthing centre are well-known and I do not propose to go through those in much detail.
The hospitals board determined late last year an interim policy for birthing at Woden Valley and Royal Canberra Hospitals. This interim policy was developed in full consultation with the medical profession. I detect a distinct anti-doctor streak in some of the remarks made by some of the members of the Australian Labor Party. That is regrettable. I would not like to see the polarisation of opinions in that fashion and this Government will not be fostering that kind of polarisation. But it does occur, unfortunately.
I can say that that policy with respect to birthing has been developed and, as I said, developed in full consultation with the medical profession. It is presently being examined by the board, by both boards, and by the maternity services working party at the hospitals. This group has representatives of the medical profession and also includes midwives, nurses and consumers. The board's policy will appropriately recognise the rights of clients and health care providers.
I am also aware that the Australian Medical Association has, in the last few months, released a policy with respect to birthing which does, in fact, embrace ideas such as birthing centre facilities. I believe it is an appropriate compromise - that might not be the right word - but certainly an appropriate acknowledgment of the strong arguments in favour of birthing centre facilities in the modern community.
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