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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-09-12 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

UNREGISTERED BIRTHING SERVICES

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:03): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Today, I joined with Meredith Hobbs, Director of Maternity Services at the Lyell McEwin Hospital, to announce that the South Australian government will move to make it unlawful for unregistered practitioners to provide birthing services in South Australia. Under this proposal, it will be an offence for any other person to undertake the care of a woman during the three stages of labour and childbirth.

This important measure is to protect our mothers and children, by limiting the harm that can come from someone who may not have the appropriate training and qualifications providing birthing services. It also responds to the recommendations of the Coroner after the deaths of three newborn babies between 2007 and 2011.

A consultation process was held earlier this year to seek feedback on proposed changes to the legislation, with most of the 33 submissions received supporting more regulations for birthing services. I would like to make it clear to the house that this will not limit the choices of mothers.

We will continue to deliver safe home-birthing services through our public maternity services.

Fathers, birthing partners, and counsellors will still be allowed to be present and involved during the birthing process at the direction of the qualified registered birthing manager.

Indigenous birthing customs and practices will continue to be respected.

We have all heard stories about the unexpected onset of labour resulting in babies being delivered by fathers (it never happened to me, fortunately), police officers, taxi drivers or ambulance officers before the mother reaches hospital. These emergency circumstances will not be affected.

By registering under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, the birthing manager or practitioner will agree to work within approved national standards of practice and have demonstrated that they have the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to make childbirth as safe as it can be. Registered health practitioners will be required to provide women with accurate information about the risks involved in each birthing situation, allowing the mother to make an informed decision about care. Under my proposal penalties for breaching these laws could be a fine of up to $30,000 or up to 12 months' imprisonment.

These changes close the gap, and are about making sure that babies get the best start to life and that mothers receive the care and support they need. I hope to introduce a bill to the parliament when we next meet and, with the cooperation of the house, have it enacted by the end of the year.

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