John Stapleton
Ashleigh Wilson
DEMONSTRATIONS held by a women’s home birthing organisation outside state parliaments have been condemned by advocates in the Butcher of Bega case.
The group Joyous Birth have seized on the case of Dr Graeme Reeves, dubbed the Butcher of Bega, as an example of a hospital and medical system in crisis.
But the Medical Error Action Group, which is supporting the hundreds of alleged victims of Dr Reeves’ behaviour, claimed yesterday Joyous Birth was jeopardising a police investigation, causing distress to victims and hijacking the issue to push their own agenda.
They have taken their concerns to the police.
Joyous Birth are ardent advocates of home birthing and claim the failure of medical authorities to act on the Butcher of Bega despite dozens of complaints to authorities dating back many years is an example of the on-going abuse and neglect of women.
Dr Reeves continued to practice in the public health system until 2004. Joyous Birth National Convenor Janet Fraser denied any interference with the police investigation into his conduct and said she was grateful to his alleged victims for standing up. “We support and commend them for their courage,” she said.
“Our hospital system is clearly in crisis,” she said. “We cannot sit back and say this does not affect us. Medical malpractice is a chronic problem in our hospital system.”
Spokeswoman for the Medical Error Action Group Lorraine Long condemned Joyous Birth and said statements on their website urging women to “go after” the Butcher of Bega were “absolute stupidity”.
“They have offended so many of Reeves’ victims,” she said. “I have had women on the phone crying, asking why are they doing this to us, why are they exploiting us, saying, isn’t it bad enough what we went through!’
“The recklessness of these people defies belief.
“It is for the police to be upholding the law, not a home birth network.”
Ms Long said the complaints over Dr Reeve’s behaviour concerned medical malpractice, mutilation and sexual assault. “Birth is just a small component of the Reeve’s matter,” she said. “The impact of an organisation latching on to the grief of these women is devastating.”
Police from Strike Force Tarella, set up to investigate Reeves, reported yesterday they have taken statements from more than 20 former patients of the doctor. Detectives will travel to Bega next week to speak to victims.
Ashleigh Wilson
DEMONSTRATIONS held by a women’s home birthing organisation outside state parliaments have been condemned by advocates in the Butcher of Bega case.
The group Joyous Birth have seized on the case of Dr Graeme Reeves, dubbed the Butcher of Bega, as an example of a hospital and medical system in crisis.
But the Medical Error Action Group, which is supporting the hundreds of alleged victims of Dr Reeves’ behaviour, claimed yesterday Joyous Birth was jeopardising a police investigation, causing distress to victims and hijacking the issue to push their own agenda.
They have taken their concerns to the police.
Joyous Birth are ardent advocates of home birthing and claim the failure of medical authorities to act on the Butcher of Bega despite dozens of complaints to authorities dating back many years is an example of the on-going abuse and neglect of women.
Dr Reeves continued to practice in the public health system until 2004. Joyous Birth National Convenor Janet Fraser denied any interference with the police investigation into his conduct and said she was grateful to his alleged victims for standing up. “We support and commend them for their courage,” she said.
“Our hospital system is clearly in crisis,” she said. “We cannot sit back and say this does not affect us. Medical malpractice is a chronic problem in our hospital system.”
Spokeswoman for the Medical Error Action Group Lorraine Long condemned Joyous Birth and said statements on their website urging women to “go after” the Butcher of Bega were “absolute stupidity”.
“They have offended so many of Reeves’ victims,” she said. “I have had women on the phone crying, asking why are they doing this to us, why are they exploiting us, saying, isn’t it bad enough what we went through!’
“The recklessness of these people defies belief.
“It is for the police to be upholding the law, not a home birth network.”
Ms Long said the complaints over Dr Reeve’s behaviour concerned medical malpractice, mutilation and sexual assault. “Birth is just a small component of the Reeve’s matter,” she said. “The impact of an organisation latching on to the grief of these women is devastating.”
Police from Strike Force Tarella, set up to investigate Reeves, reported yesterday they have taken statements from more than 20 former patients of the doctor. Detectives will travel to Bega next week to speak to victims.