1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,720 Speaker 1: We know that there is an event happening this weekend. 2 00:00:02,800 --> 00:00:06,760 Speaker 1: It's called Our Birth, Our Voice. It's a community lead 3 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:09,680 Speaker 1: forum for women to share their stories and for leaders 4 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: the media to listen to what families need from maternity 5 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 1: services in the Northern Territory. Now joining us on the 6 00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:21,040 Speaker 1: line is well, fairly new, mum. I reckon her bum 7 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:23,239 Speaker 1: must be a few weeks or a few months old, 8 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: I reckon right now, Tessa, good morning to you. 9 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie. Yes she is, she's four months now. 10 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 2: It's gone very quickly. 11 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:34,519 Speaker 1: Goodness me, is she rolling over or as she is 12 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:36,839 Speaker 1: staying quite still for you still, Tessa? 13 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:40,920 Speaker 2: No, she's staying quite still, which I am not complaining 14 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,120 Speaker 2: about at all. 15 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:47,280 Speaker 1: No, I agree. I agree. Once they get started, goodness me, 16 00:00:47,479 --> 00:00:50,600 Speaker 1: As you know, it's hard to keep them still once 17 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:51,560 Speaker 1: they get going. 18 00:00:52,479 --> 00:00:55,800 Speaker 2: That's right. And having a second is you know, the 19 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:59,840 Speaker 2: longer adul takes, I certainly won't be complaining, I. 20 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:05,039 Speaker 1: Agree now, Tessa. Around one hundred moms, dad's, grandparents and 21 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: health workers attended the previous forum that you guys had organized, 22 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 1: But this one, I think it's probably going to be 23 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:14,679 Speaker 1: a bit bigger because you're inviting as well the media 24 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 1: to head along if they want to, and our community 25 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 1: leaders who are you expecting to come on Saturday. 26 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 2: So we've had confirmations from a number of the local members, 27 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 2: which is fantastic. The Federal Member for Solomon will be 28 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 2: in attendance, Minister Hersey will be coming along, and the 29 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:39,679 Speaker 2: Leader of the Opposition will be there as well as 30 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:45,200 Speaker 2: Clinton Howe who he spoke in Parliament on the sixteenth 31 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 2: of October when this was introduced as a matter of 32 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 2: public importance. So that's fantastic. Unfortunately, the Health Minister is 33 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:56,760 Speaker 2: not available, which is really disappointing because it is such 34 00:01:56,800 --> 00:02:01,800 Speaker 2: an important topic. But he as he has indicated that 35 00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 2: he's arranged for Minister Hersey to come along in his stead, 36 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 2: and we're waiting to hear back from the Chief Minister. 37 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 2: We're really hopeful that she will be there and show 38 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:16,959 Speaker 2: the support to the community and you know, acknowledge the 39 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 2: importance of this issue. We're waiting to hear from her office. 40 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 2: So fingers crossed. 41 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, well that is good to hear, and I think 42 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:26,400 Speaker 1: so long as you've got those government representatives there as well, 43 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 1: so that that message can get back to the Chief 44 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:31,320 Speaker 1: Minister and to the Health Minister. I mean, what are 45 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:35,280 Speaker 1: you hoping that they hear really loudly and clearly, Tessa. 46 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:39,640 Speaker 2: We're hoping that they firstly they get to hear from 47 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:42,680 Speaker 2: the horse's mouth, so to speak, the store that we've 48 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:45,840 Speaker 2: been hearing from some of the mums around the Northern Territory, 49 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 2: the good, the bad, and unfortunately in some circumstances, the 50 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:56,520 Speaker 2: very devastating. But also we've got Cas Hatcher who's going 51 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:58,920 Speaker 2: to come along and speak on behalf of the midwives, 52 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 2: which is really really great, and hopefully that they can 53 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 2: hear some of the challenges that the workforce are facing, 54 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 2: but also what we're looking for in terms of moving 55 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:15,120 Speaker 2: things along and really really hoping for a bipartisan approach 56 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:18,639 Speaker 2: to this from both the territory and the federal government, Katie. 57 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:22,840 Speaker 2: So we're hoping that if they can come along here's 58 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:25,080 Speaker 2: some of what here's some of the stories, here what 59 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 2: we've got to say, then it might be sort of 60 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:29,680 Speaker 2: taken on board. And as I said, we have a 61 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 2: bipartisan approach to improving maternity services, not just in Darwin 62 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 2: but around the territory. 63 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 1: And Tessa, what are you ladies hearing as well about 64 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 1: the midwives at Royal Darwin Hospital and so you know 65 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 1: some of what he is going on at the moment. 66 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, So we've heard lots of stories about obviously they're 67 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:55,680 Speaker 2: struggling to recruit and retain staff for both birth suites 68 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 2: and for the mid MGP program, which includes the home 69 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 2: birth program. There was a post on a Facebook group 70 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 2: last night Katie which indicated a mum who's in the 71 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 2: home Birthing program has been told by Artie H that 72 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 2: she won't be able to have her home birth because 73 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 2: they don't have the staff available to facilitate that. So 74 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:21,280 Speaker 2: that's just another option of you know, birth option that's 75 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 2: been taken off the table. We don't have any further 76 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:25,800 Speaker 2: information about that, and we do have a meeting with 77 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:30,360 Speaker 2: Artie H today, so I will be asking about that specifically, 78 00:04:30,440 --> 00:04:32,840 Speaker 2: whether that is just something that's for the months of 79 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:35,600 Speaker 2: November that's not going to be available, or whether it's 80 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:39,280 Speaker 2: looking like that's going to be a longer term issue 81 00:04:39,560 --> 00:04:41,720 Speaker 2: for the home birthing program. But we know that they 82 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 2: have had real difficulty recruiting and retaining staff within the 83 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 2: MGP program and caf Hatchu will obviously be able to 84 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:54,159 Speaker 2: speak on Saturday specifically to those issues and what the 85 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:58,280 Speaker 2: midwives are telling her. But we've also heard, you know, 86 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 2: there's still this issue about contracts and not providing permanent 87 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 2: positions for Midwiffree staff, not providing flexible employment for them 88 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:09,600 Speaker 2: to be able to I mean lots of our midwives 89 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 2: and mums as well, and they want to have flexible 90 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 2: employment options available to them and that's just not on 91 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:18,360 Speaker 2: the table at the moment for them. 92 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:21,599 Speaker 1: That's disappointing because you know, like a lot of workplaces 93 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 1: now do try to really make sure that there are 94 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 1: some flexible options for mums. Because I'll tell you what 95 00:05:27,279 --> 00:05:29,320 Speaker 1: you want something done, you ask a busy mum. 96 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:33,719 Speaker 2: That is very true, Katie, and I think we only 97 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 2: have to look at our little group of full new mums. 98 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:41,359 Speaker 2: We're all juggling, some of us very very new infants, 99 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 2: and we've sort of managed to pull together this forum 100 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:48,720 Speaker 2: and the one before that, and it's been raised as 101 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 2: a matter of public importance by Parliament in Parliament by 102 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 2: the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. So I think you're 103 00:05:55,880 --> 00:06:00,080 Speaker 2: on the money there and we're losing really really with 104 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:04,719 Speaker 2: the staff by not offering that job flexibility. And so 105 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:06,720 Speaker 2: I think Anty Health really needs to have a look 106 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 2: at that, look very carefully at that, and hopefully be 107 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:13,159 Speaker 2: able to make some changes that enable us to try 108 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 2: and retain the midwives that we do have in the 109 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 2: Northern Territory. 110 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: So if anyone is keen to head along on the weekend, 111 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:23,760 Speaker 1: what are the details, where's it happening and what time. 112 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:28,159 Speaker 2: So it's twelve o'clock on Saturday at Darling's Passerbar, which 113 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:33,159 Speaker 2: is just behind Ray's sixty six Smith Street, and we'll 114 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 2: have an open floor for mums to speak if they 115 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:38,800 Speaker 2: do wish to share their stories. We do have some 116 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 2: scheduled speakers as well, and also an open floor if 117 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 2: any other professionals would like to speak. And then at 118 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:48,640 Speaker 2: the conclusion we'll have the opportunity for any of the 119 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:51,840 Speaker 2: government representatives to speak and also of course media if 120 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:54,239 Speaker 2: they've got questions of anybody that they'd like to ask. 121 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:59,800 Speaker 2: So we really encourage mums, dads, grandma's, concerned community members 122 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 2: to I'm along on Saturday so that the government, the 123 00:07:02,560 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 2: powers that be can hear what everybody has to say 124 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 2: and as I said, hopefully treat this matter with the 125 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:09,159 Speaker 2: importance that it deserves. 126 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 1: Well. Tessa Sislowsky, we really appreciate your time. We might 127 00:07:12,840 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 1: try and catch up with you next week to find 128 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:17,040 Speaker 1: out how it's all gone. It sounds like I should 129 00:07:17,040 --> 00:07:19,720 Speaker 1: try and have a catch up with Kath Hatcher as well. 130 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 2: That would be wonderful. Katie and I hope you have 131 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 2: a lovely weekend. 132 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 1: I hope you do as well. Thank you so much 133 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: for your time, really appreciate it. 134 00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 2: Thank you, thank you.