Statistics for Individual States and Territories, Australia
Birth Matters believes that it is important for consumers to have available to them the pregnancy outcome statistics for their area in an easily readable format so that they can bear this information in mind when making decisions about their care. Such information can assist, for example, in choosing a hospital which is most likely to accommodate the wish for an elective caesarean, or in choosing a place where you are most likely to avoid a caesarean. Our Birth Choices Guide for South Australia provides more detailed information than just statistics, for example waterbirth availability.
- The statistics available differ for each state/territory. For NT, ACT and NSW data is available for every individual hospital and birthing service. This allows women to ask questions about the birthplaces they are considering, and health professionals to assess their ongoing performance. Individual state/territory data are usually more up-to-date than in the Australian publication, which is a compilation publication.
- South Australia Department of Human Services, "Pregnancy Outcome in South Australia" Statistics only by private/public/home/birthing centre categories. Available here. Phone: (08) 8226 6357
- NSW Department of Health, "New South Wales Mothers and Babies" Excellent detailed statistics for every individual hospital and service, including rates for caesarean and vaginal birth, episiotomy, etc, and breakdowns by public/private status. Available here. Phone (02) 9391 9223
- Victoria Department of Human Services, "Births in Victoria" Statistics only by hospital category (public/private) for selected factors Available at website: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/perinatal/pubs.htm Phone: (03) 9616 2702
- Queensland Health, "Perinatal Statistics Queensland" Statistics only by sub-region for % women having public/private/home births; intervention rates only by hospital category (public/private) Available at website: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/hic Phone: (07) 3234 0889
- Western Australia Department of Health, "Perinatal Statistics in Western Australia" Statistics only by hospital category (public/private). Available at website: http://www.health.wa.gov.au/publications Phone: (08) 9222 4262
- Tasmania Department of Health and Human Services, "Council of Obstetric and Paediatric Morbidity and Mortality Reports" No reports publicly available, some statistics available by data request. See Australian Institute of Health and Welfare "Australia's Mothers and Babies" for some Tasmanian data. Website: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/ Phone: (03) 6233 4016
- ACT Health, "Maternal and Perinatal Health in the ACT" Statistics for individual hospitals, including intervention rates Available at website: http://www.health.act.gov.au/healthinfo Phone: (02) 6244 4290
- Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services, NT Midwives Collection Statistics for individual hospitals, including intervention rates and Aboriginal-nonAboriginal breakdowns Available at website: http://www.nt.gov.au/health/health_gains/epidemiology/mothers_babies_reports.shtml Phone: (08) 8922 7779