A review of maternity services headed by chief nurse Rosemary Bryant has recommended changes to Commonwealth funding arrangements to enable midwives to be able to undertake a greater role and allow them to provide taxpayer-subsidised drugs and care.

It recommends appropriately-qualified midwives being able to access Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and suggests the government provides professional indemnity insurance support to midwives, however it rejects Commonwealth funding for home births.

Ms Bryant said, "There is a lack of unanimity within and between some groups of the medical and midwifery professions on the issue of how to deal with risk and consumer preferences. While it is acknowledged that safety and quality of care is an overarching goal, it would be remiss to always use it as an excuse not to change practice."

The review recommending an expansion of maternity services programs which is much needed particularly among the indigenous Australians whose high rate of maternal mortality has not abated since first measured in the early 1990s. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are almost three times more likely, than non-indigenous women, to die while pregnant, during labour or up to six weeks after giving birth. Ms Bryant said that birth outcomes for indigenous Australians is a pressing national issue.

In its submission Homebirth Australia said there had been an increase seen in the number of women giving birth at home without medical assistance due to the current lack of funding and professional indemnity insurance for midwives. 

Health Minister Nicola Roxon said she was determined Australia's children get the best start in life. "That means giving women the choices they need, wherever they live, and whatever the challenges confronting them."

Ms Bryant said the review to be released today found there was a case to expand the range of models for maternity care and therefore give women greater choice however there were differing views on to what extent taxpayers should fund extra services to meet the preferences of individuals. 

The review will help the development of a national maternity services plan which was a federal government election promise.