ANMF Statement on Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) for Privately Practising Midwives (PPM's)

Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) for Privately Practising Midwives (PPM)

In response to recent developments regarding Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) for Privately Practising Midwives (PPMs) providing home birth services, and the upcoming removal of the insurance exemption from 1 July 2025, the ANMF acknowledges and shares the concerns expressed by our members regarding the evolving PII landscape and its potential implications for the midwifery profession at large.

The current proposals surrounding PII, specifically for home birth services provided by PPMs, raise significant concerns within our midwifery community.

We believe that the parameters being considered, which propose to categorise home births into "low risk" criteria based on existing publicly funded models, could severely limit midwifery scope of practice. This approach not only reduces midwifery autonomy but also assumes that midwives cannot responsibly operate within their scope without overly restrictive guidelines. Defining "high risk" categories in a narrow manner may exclude many women who could safely choose home birth with appropriate contingency plans.

Discussions on the definition of "low risk" remain ongoing, and a consultation process is underway to address these complexities before the 1 July 2025 deadline when the current exemption is set to expire.

Understandably, this period is challenging and filled with uncertainty for privately practising midwives and the wider midwifery profession.

Please rest assured that the ANMF Federal Office is working diligently with the Australian College of Midwives, the Commonwealth Government and other stakeholders to ensure that the voices of midwives are represented throughout this consultation process. We will keep you informed of any progress and ensure that our members are included at every step.

Authorised by C. Hatcher

ANMF NT Branch Secretary