Darwin's controversial midwife: Banned from working unsupervised, awarded $1.1 million NT government contract
The Northern Territory's private midwifery service, Midwives in Darwin, has sparked controversy and concern among medical professionals. Despite being barred from working unsupervised by Australia's nursing and midwifery regulator, Claire Marks, a Darwin-based midwife, has been awarded a $1.1 million contract to run this service.
The NT government's decision to award the contract to Marks, who was under investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia at the time, has raised serious questions about patient safety. The regulator imposed conditions on her registration, including the requirement to practice under supervision, due to concerns over her management of care and maternal observations.
Marks, who believes her practice aligns with evidence-informed care and best practices, argues that she poses no risk to the public. However, medical staff, including John Zorbas from the Australian Medical Association of the NT, express concerns about the supervision requirements and the potential impact on patient safety.
The Midwives in Darwin social media posts have also caused controversy, with statements like 'the further you birth away from the delivery suite, the better the outcomes' being deemed false by medical professionals. This highlights the importance of accurate information dissemination by healthcare providers.
As Marks prepares to oversee a team of midwives, the NT Health Department's decision to proceed with the contract remains under scrutiny. The department's response to queries about the investigation and the appropriateness of Marks' registration conditions is expected, with the public eagerly awaiting further clarification on this controversial issue.
