NT Government Terminates $1.1 Million Private Midwife Contract
The Northern Territory government has terminated a $1.1 million contract with Darwin midwife Claire Marks to establish a private midwifery service. The contract was awarded in September despite Marks being under investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, which later imposed conditions restricting her practice to supervised work only. The termination follows concerns raised by doctors about governance and safety, though no clinical services had commenced under the contract.
The NT government confirmed the cancellation of a $1.1 million contract with Claire Marks' Midwives in Darwin, which was intended to address the closure of the Territory's only private maternity ward. The contract was signed in September while Marks was under investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia; two months later, the regulator imposed conditions requiring her to practice only under supervision and engage an approved mentor. NT Health deputy chief executive Kim Charles stated the department was unaware of these restrictions at the time of signing and that the service could not be delivered in line with required governance and safety standards. The contract was terminated after doctors, including the president of the Australian Medical Association's NT branch, raised concerns about the arrangement. Marks announced the pause of her private midwifery service on social media, citing "unforeseen and significant challenges," though she stated existing clients would receive continuity of care.
What's missing
The specific grounds for the Nursing and Midwifery Board's restrictions on Marks' registration are not disclosed in either source. Additionally, the sources do not clarify how much taxpayer funding was actually expended on the contract before termination or whether any funds will be recovered.
What different sources said
NT government axes controversial $1.1 million private midwife contract
- ABC AustraliaCenter
NT government axes controversial $1.1 million private midwife contract
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