New Australian Government To Monitor Effectiveness Of Pregnancy Helpline

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Abortion
Article Date: 07 Jan 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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The Australian government, newly led by the Labor Party, will begin monitoring the performance of a government-funded pregnancy helpline operated by McKesson Asia-Pacific, the Australian reports. Former Health Minister Tony Abbott last year established the helpline with a four-year grant of 15.5 million Australian dollars, or about $13.6 million, with the aim of reducing the number of abortions in the country. According to the Australian, there had been concerns over Catholic Church links to guidelines used by helpline counselors, but callers have not been directed to any particular service and have been given informal, non-directive advice on where to look for information.

The helpline has neither met government expectations nor helped more women than a private sector helpline, which closed down after the government launched its program, the Australian reports.

In its first seven months of operation, the government-funded helpline received 2,238 calls for more than 11 counselors on staff. According to the Australian, the helpline is expected to receive about 4,000 calls in its first year, compared with the private helpline, which reported an average of 5,000 calls annually. Government documents reveal the 10 companies that bid for the four-year contract were assessed on their ability to handle a higher volume of calls than has been received by McKesson's helpline. Details of the contract with the company have not been released, the Australian reports.

A spokesperson for Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the government would monitor the performance of the helpline, but it had the Labor Party's "in-principle" support, the Australian reports. "We support the continued provision of balanced information and support but we're keeping a close eye on the pregnancy support line," Roxon's spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the health department said, "The helpline has been designed to assist women, their partners and family to access nondirective counseling in a timely fashion when experiencing an unplanned pregnancy," adding that "initial feedback has confirmed that callers have found the service to be of assistance." According to the health department spokesperson, "A reduction in abortion rates is not a formal objective of the service and will not be measured as part of any evaluation." There are about 100,000 abortions in Australia annually (Parnell, Australian, 1/4).

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