Macquarie Candidates – Amy Bell – Independent
Thursday, August 5th, 2010Macquarie’s only Independent candidate,Amy Bell, is a 31 year old mother of three from Katoomba.
With a Bachelor of Nursing from UWS and a history of grassroots environmental activism, moving into Birth activism after witnessing a medical monopoly over womens autonomy in pregnancy and birth.
Amy cites the passing of key legislation by a determination signed the night before the election was called as the catalyst to her candidacy .
In the last year consumers have despaired at the control the medical lobby has exerted over both major parties regarding health reform. We are now facing a situation where long awaited Medicare reforms are completely controlled by the medical lobby. Doctors will have to physically agree to all care that a midwife, with a Medicare provider number – a registered health practitioner in their own right – provides before the mother is eligible for a rebate.
This reform could have given women in the Blue Mountains greater safety through a local midwifery service, instead they will continue to face uncertainty and danger. The Blue Mountains Hospital maternity service is not sustainable in its current form.
Amy has a strong sense of community, having volunteered with Australian Breastfeeding Association, represented consumers on the maternity consumer consultation board at Katoomba Hospital, performed with Ruby Bloomers Womens circus and co-hosts the Birth Hour on BluFM.
Amy knows the concerns of the community, because she is part of the community, and will represent the voices from Macquarie.
www.macquarie2010.com.au