A National Framework for Maternity Services
The National Maternity Services Plan expired 30 June, 2016. On the 8th April, 2016 it was decided at COAG Health Council that a National Framework for Maternity Services would be developed. Queensland Government took the lead on this project. There was little to no consultation with key stakeholders to develop this framework. Women were excluded from having any input aside from an online survey and a written submission to the secretariat of the Maternity Care Policy Working Group (MCPWG). On the 23rd June, 2017, key stakeholders met in Melbourne for a "final consultation" of the National Framework for Maternity Services. On this day, the MCPWG achieved what no other has ever achieved in maternity, they unified every key stakeholder and for the first time there was no argument that we were all on the same side. Maternity Choices Australia, Australian College of Midwives, Australian Medical Association, Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and many others agreed that The Framework should not go ahead in its current form. The Lead on the project advised that no further decisions would be made on this day and we would await further instruction. We are now awaiting a solution from the Federal Government as Health Minister, Greg Hunt, has committed to developing a more meaningful document.
Please find below the relevant documents and information we are referring to.
National Framework for Maternity Services consultation paper and fact sheets
Public Submissions to the National Framework for Maternity Services
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National Maternity Services Plan
The National plan for maternity services has now expired. This was the only Plan that is directing all States and Territories to implement continuity of care during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. We are advocating for this plan to be updated and released as a Version 2. Please read the document below to explain in full what we are doing and how we need your assistance.
| mca_advocacy_for_nmspv2_inc_mn_case_study_18022016_final__2_.pdf |
National Maternity Services Plan Media Release
| National Maternity Services Plan V2 Media Release.pdf |
