Midwives freed of doctor control

Independent midwives will soon be able to bypass doctors to gain access to the MBS, under changes labelled “dangerous and unexpected” by the AMA.

Following a meeting of state and federal health ministers last Friday, the Commonwealth announced it had agreed to vary the current criteria for “collaborative arrangements” — a requirement before midwives can bill Medicare for antenatal and post-natal services — so that their agreement can be with “hospital