NSW: Midwives denied medical indemnity by insurance companies

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2001
NSW: Midwives denied medical indemnity by insurance companies

Democrats Senator MEG LEES says women's choice to have a midwife during pregnancy is
under threat because insurance companies are withdrawing midwives' access to cover.

Speaking at the New South Wales Midwives Association conference, Senator LEES says
the decision by Guild Insurance to not renew midwives' policies is a step backwards.

She says women are being pushed further and further into a medical model that says
they are ill and need a doctor.

Senator LEES says the insurance company has no excuse for withdrawing its claims except
that they just can't be bothered.

But Guild, who had insured about 80 midwives, has blamed the highly litigious area
of medical malpractice.

However, this has been countered New South Wales Midwives Association Secretary HANNAH
DAHLEN who says there has never been a major claim against a midwife.





The conference continues on the New South Wales Central Coast tomorrow.

AAP RTV rhp/jjs/wz/jas o

KEYWORD: MIDWIVES INSURANCE (SYDNEY)

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