Adverse outcomes of labour  in public and private hospitals in Australia

Watson, Lyndsey F; Davey, Mary-Ann; Biro, Mary A; King, James F

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02542.x

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To the Editor: In their recent article, Robson and colleagues conclude that women are at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes if they give birth in public rather than private hospitals.1 We are concerned that this interpretation is likely to be false, has caused the public unnecessary alarm, and may be used to support vested interests.

1 Mother and Child Health Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC.
2 School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC.
3 Department of Perinatal Medicine, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC.

Correspondence: l.watson@latrobe.edu.au

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. 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.
3. Bryant R. Improving maternity services in Australia: the report of the Maternity Services Review. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, Feb 2009. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/maternityservicesreview-report (accessed Mar 2009).

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