In reply: We thank Sutherland and colleagues for their comments and acknowledge that dissemination of our research findings1 by some in the Australian media has caused unnecessary alarm.2,3 The data presented in our article show that there appear to be different risk profiles for women giving birth in the public and private sectors in Australia. We agree with Sutherland et al that the “public hospital system in Australia is designed to cater for women at risk of adverse events in pregnancy and labour, regardless of their health insurance status” and/or risk profile.
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- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, ACT.
- 2 Perinatal and Reproductive Epidemiology Research Unit, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW.
- 1. Robson SJ, Laws P, Sullivan EA. Adverse outcomes of labour in public and private hospitals in Australia: a population-based descriptive study. Med J Aust 2009; 190: 474-477. [Published online ahead of print, Med J Aust 16 Feb 2009.] <MJA full text>
- 2. Hall L. Baby toll lower in private hospitals. The Australian 2009; 16 Feb. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25059394-23289,00.html (accessed Mar 2009).
- 3. Rose D. ‘Striking’ baby death gap in private, public hospitals. The Canberra Times 2009; 16 Feb. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/striking-baby-death-gap-in-private-public-hospitals/1434315.aspx (accessed Mar 2009).
- 4. Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity. Annual report for the year 2004, incorporating the 43rd survey of perinatal deaths in Victoria. Melbourne: CCOPMM, 2005.
- 5. Laws PJ, Grayson N, Sullivan EA. Australia’s mothers and babies 2004. Sydney: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Perinatal Statistics Unit, 2006. (Perinatal Statistics Series No. 18. AIHW Cat. No. PER 34.)