Claire Marks, a Darwin midwife, will continue to direct the Northern Territory (NT) government's new private practice midwifery service despite regulatory conditions prohibiting her from working unsupervised. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia imposed these conditions in November, requiring supervision and a mentor to address concerns about her management of care and maternal observations. These are considered critical safety tools.
Contract Details
Last September, the NT government awarded Ms. Marks a $1.1 million contract to establish "Midwives in Darwin." This service aims to fill a gap created by the closure of the NT's sole private maternity ward in the previous year.
Ms. Marks confirmed she would not provide direct clinical services but would oversee a team of midwives expected to join in early 2026. The contract, a 12-month subcontract, is intended to offer birthing and pregnancy support for privately insured women and families, initially at Royal Darwin Hospital. Ms. Marks expressed hope to expand services to include home births.
Regulatory Conditions and Ms. Marks' Response
A spokesperson for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) stated that conditions are imposed only when deemed necessary to protect the public. Ms. Marks declined to disclose why the conditions were placed upon her but expressed confidence in her ability to practice safely and stated she did not believe harm was caused or that there is a risk to the public.
Government Response
The NT Health Department declined to comment on whether it was aware of the investigation into Ms. Marks when the contract was awarded or why it is proceeding with the contract. A spokesperson cited commercial in confidence regarding procurement details and stated adherence to strict government standards.
Concerns from Medical Association
The Australian Medical Association of the NT (AMA NT), represented by its president John Zorbas, voiced concerns regarding the contract, questioning how supervision requirements could be met while providing the service. AHPRA defines practice as any role utilizing health practitioner skills and knowledge. The AMA NT emphasized the public's right to know that healthcare providers are safe and adhere to registration conditions.
Social Media Concerns
The AMA NT also raised concerns about content posted on the "Midwives in Darwin" social media page. A recently deleted post stated, "the further you birth away from the delivery suite the better the outcomes," which Dr. Zorbas called "simply false." Other posts mentioned a difference between hospital policy and evidence-based practice. Ms. Marks declined to comment on the social media content.