On Sunday Feb 27, MC Qld Branch is holding our annual Orientation & Planning Workshop (agenda to follow shortly). Please circulate this information throughout your networks - especially in regional Queensland.
Last year, we saw a number of key milestones in the reform marathon - Medicare for Midwives is now a reality and the Queensland government has committed to expanding women's access to continuity of carer models by 2013. We also have involvement in a long awaited Consumer Representative Training project, under the auspices of Qld Centre for Mothers and Babies.
In 2011, our work will be focused on bedding down those milestones and ensuring that women remain central to their implementation. As the work begins in hospitals across Qld to create or expand continuity of carer models (in order to meet the government target by 2013), we will need an unprecedented number of consumer representatives making their voices heard. As Midwives take up the opportunities afforded by access to Medicare, we need to continue our work resolving the challenges of collaborative arrangements and also raise awareness in the community about this new care option. And of course, for MC to continue to be a vibrant and relevant consumer voice in birth reform, we need to have a special focus on membership and recruitment.
If you're already an active member of MC, if you have ideas or special interest in any of the above focus areas for 2011, or if you have a strategy that you’d like to propose, then you’ll want to be there to help shape our direction for 2011.
If you’re a relative new comer to the world of birth reform activism, this day is a great way to learn more and get involved. Whatever your interests, however much (or little) time you have, there is some way that you can help MC. Maybe you’d like to host a movie night or tell your birth story at an event? Maybe your curiosity has been piqued by the notion of consumer representation? Perhaps you are willing to open your home as a venue for branch meetings. Maybe you prefer work behind the scenes, caring for children, cooking a meal or driving other members to meetings – these are critical contributions that allow MC members to do the work that we do. Every effort makes a difference – enables us to keep driving forward in the campaign for “Every woman, Every choice”.
Please come along! Come to find out more. Come to meet other like-minded people. Come to dip your toe (or your whole leg) into the waters of birth reform.
Who: You (babes-in-arms welcome)
Where: 177 Frasers Rd, Mitchelton
When: 9am to 3pm, 27 Feb 2010
What to bring: A delicious dish for a shared lunch; Gold coin donation for morning tea; Your ideas, energy & enthusiasm.
RSVP: by email or phone to Ildiko Keogh by February 18.
07 32890184
ildikokeogh@yahoo.com
Consumers in regional Queensland who may need sponsorship for travel to attend are encouraged to contact Ildiko to discuss.
Looking forward to seeing you!
