Page 4553 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 20 November 1991
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Mr Humphries has stuck to that position and he is trying to scare the community whilst consideration is being given to how the board will manage its very tight budget - a tight budget which, I have to say, Mr Speaker, is as a result of some of the mismanagement which occurred during the time Mr Humphries was Minister.
Postnatal home visits are an issue which is under consideration as the board addresses the budget. What will occur, of course, is that the timing of first home visits will be assessed in order that those babies at risk will be given quality treatment, as will all other babies. As I have said previously, this issue has been used to frighten the community about changes that might be proposed in community nursing. The Community Nursing Service is proposing to cease routine first home visits of all new mothers following discharge.
Mr Humphries: I was right, wasn't I?
MR BERRY: But it has nothing to do with child abuse.
Mr Humphries: No buts, Mr Berry. You are cutting out first home visits to mothers and babies who are in need. Shame on you, Minister!
MR BERRY: No; listen to the answer. The Community Nursing Service is proposing to cease routine first home visits of all new mothers following discharge. However, new mothers will continue to be assessed prior to discharge from hospital, while those at risk will, of course, be visited in the normal manner, that is, in the first week.
The reasons for not providing the first home visits are - now, listen to this - that there is no documented evidence to support the benefits or effectiveness of routine first home visits for new mothers who have not been assessed as needing this visit in the first week after discharge. Interstate services generally follow up new mothers by a telephone call or a home visit if the child has not attended a baby health clinic within the first six weeks following discharge. Mothers now serviced by the hospital mid-call program, which I understand Mr Humphries supported, are followed up by hospital midwives. There is no need for community nursing home visits for these mothers. In cases of postnatal depression the community nurse liaises with other health workers.
This has nothing to do with child abuse. This outrageous suggestion by Mr Humphries is nothing more than political scaremongering. This shows the depths to which Mr Humphries and the Liberal Party are prepared to sink in relation to the affairs of health in this Territory.
MR HUMPHRIES: I ask a supplementary question. Does the Minister acknowledge that these first home visits to postnatal mothers in the past have detected at least some cases of postnatal depression and of child abuse?
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