Game on! Martina has decided she wants to appeal AHPRA's decision! She's seeking legal advice and then next step will likely be VCAT. Unfortunately, her Hearing last week cost her approximately $35,000, so she can’t afford to do this, not without our help. We’ve set up a GoFundMe, and every little bit counts. If each of us contributed $2, she'd have all she needs. Can you give to the cause?
To date, none of Martina's pregnant families have been able to find a midwife who will support a homebirth without at least one ultrasound. While this was expected, it is nonetheless an agony to some of Martina's families, and to other families across the country. Without changing the law, Martina's suspension has become another nail in the coffin for home birthing rights in Australia. We're required to pay for two midwives to be present during birth, making it financially impossible for some families to have support. We can’t be supported if we have a breech baby, and now we can’t be supported if we decline ultrasounds?? Enough is enough! We MUST get her suspension overturned, for our sake as much as hers. We must stop this onslaught on our rights!
If you’re wanting to contribute more than just money, your time and your words are just as valuable:
- Share the GoFundMe link on social media, for those who might not see this update: www.gofundme.com/help-martina-midwife-push-back
- If you’ve written to AHPRA at AHPRAFeedback@ahpra.gov.au and weren’t happy with their response, take it further! Email AHPRA's Executive Officer, or Strategy and Policy Officer.
- If you feel you’ve provided AHPRA sufficient opportunity and are unhappy with their response to your concerns, you can take the issue further by making a complaint against AHPRA with the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman.
- If Jill Hennessy’s Twitter-inspired ministerial referral against Ten Moons makes you want to reach out to other MP's to share the facts and seek their opinion, these Ministers have portfolios of relevance:
- Natalie Hutchins, Victorian Minister for Women
- Greg Hunt, Minister for Health
- Catherine King, Shadow Minister for Health
- Kelly O'Dwyer, Minister for Women
- Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Women
We are united in support for Martina, for her pregnant families, and for home birthing rights, and we are over 36,000 voices strong. Together, we can turn the tides that are currently working against homebirth.
Help Martina fund her appeal against AHPRA: www.gofundme.com/help-martina-midwife-push-back