Pregnancy Counselling Telephone Helpline

Catholic Social Services Australia's Executive Director, Frank Quinlan, welcomes tomorrow's launch of the Government's Pregnancy Telephone Counselling Helpline.

Mr Quinlan said Centacare Sydney, one of Catholic Social Services Australia's 64 member organisations, played a small but important advisory role as part of a working group responsible for developing an information manual to be used by counsellors on the Helpline.

"The working group also consisted of independent experts in psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology," Mr Quinlan said.

"The manual has now been completed and has been signed off by the Minister.

"McKesson Asia Pacific is the lead agency responsible for providing counselling services for the Government under the new arrangements.

"Centacare Sydney has not been contracted for any further role associated with the Helpline.

"While our member agencies are not involved in the ongoing provision of the Helpline, they will continue to provide support to pregnant women and their families, including women who are experiencing an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy.

"These organisations have provided compassionate, non directive counselling and support for pregnant women and their families for many years and will continue to provide these services in future," Mr Quinlan said.

The $15 million service is part of a broader $51 million initiative announced by Health Minister, Tony Abbott, last year aimed at giving more support to women who are or have been uncertain about continuing a pregnancy.

30 April 2007

CONTACT: Judith Tokley 02 6285 1366 / 0408 824 306

For further comment

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2007/1910645.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2007/1911621.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s1911644.htm