Appointment of National Pregnancy Counselling Expert Advisory Committee
The Australian Government today announced the appointment of the National Pregnancy Counselling Expert Advisory Committee. The committee has been appointed for an initial period of one calendar year.
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3 July 2006
ABB101/06
The Commonwealth Government today announced the appointment of the National Pregnancy Counselling Expert Advisory Committee. The committee has been appointed for an initial period of one calendar year.
The committee will provide independent technical advice to the Department of Health and Ageing on the establishment of the National Pregnancy Support Helpline which will provide confidential telephone counselling and information services 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and on the development of the new Pregnancy Support Counselling Medicare Item.
This new initiative will improve the availability of timely, confidential, professional pregnancy counselling for women and their partners, including those in rural and remote areas.
The Expert Advisory Committee will be chaired by Dr Andrew Pesce, from Westmead Hospital.
Details of appointees are attached.
For more information call Mr Abbott's office on ph 02 6277 7220
National Pregnancy Counselling Expert Advisory Committee
Dr Andrew Pesce (Chair) is an obstetrician and gynaecologist from Westmead Hospital with 12 years experience. Dr Pesce is also the Australian Medical Association’s obstetrics and gynaecology spokesperson.Professor Helen Christensen is the deputy director of the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University. Professor Christensen is also a member of the Australian Health Information Council, NHRMC Training Awards Committee and a member of the Board of the Australian Foundation for Mental Health Research. Professor Christensen was a member of the Review Reference Committee for the National Review of tele-counselling and web-counselling services.
Ms Rosemary Bryant is the executive director of the Royal College of Nursing Australia and a member of the board of the International Council of Nurses. Ms Bryant has been a registered nurse for approximately 30 years.
Mrs Jenny Brandon-Baker is a mid-wife from the Queanbeyan District Hospital, and a member of the Australian College of Midwives. Mrs Brandon-Baker will be a community representative on the committee.
Dr Leslie Stephan is a psychiatrist from the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Dr Stephan is a clinical lecturer at the Faculty of Health Services, University of Adelaide.
Dr Veronica O’Connell is a general practitioner from Sydney with 20 years experience. Dr O’Connell has long experience in women’s health issues.
Professor Harvey Whiteford is The Kratzmann Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Queensland and a consultant for the World Bank. Professor Whiteford is responsible for the design and implementation of the Mental Health Strategy, and is currently chairman of the Working Group designing Australia’s next five year mental health strategy.
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