20 December 2016
Media Statement
A National Framework for Maternity Services, commissioned by the Australian Government, and informed by the Maternity Care Policy Working Group (MCPWG), has been established to support the delivery of public maternity services across Australia.
As the key advocacy body for women and their families, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is surprised and disappointed at the lack of representation of specialist obstetricians, and medical practitioners in general, on the MCPWG.
“Doctors are the ones called upon to manage all of the complications in pregnancy, yet the Government seems unwilling to engage with us in planning maternity services”, said Professor Steve Robson, President of RANZCOG.
“Running this project without involving obstetricians is like building a new plane without asking the pilots if it’s safe to fly”.
Collaboration is fundamental to achieving high standards of maternity care. Without a holistic approach, including specialist input, the MCPWG will not be able to adequately address the critical areas of pre-pregnancy care and assessment of antenatal health risk factors. These deficiencies will limit the health system’s ability to achieve the best possible outcomes for women and their babies.
“Collaborative models of care that make provision for smooth transition between carers, are unquestionably the gold standard”.
RANZCOG experts have already developed a comprehensive, evidence-based guidance for provision of the best maternity care for women and their babies, and are more than willing to share this knowledge with the wider community.
“The College is disappointed by the lack of broad consultation and the duplication of work already done. We remain available to the Government to contribute our expertise to this important women’s health project, to support pregnant women and their families”.