The Face of Birth - A teaser

Come and join us at the Health Dept for the viewing of The face of birth..... lets make some changes.....see details on the previous post.

The Face of Birth - 20th March 2012

WA Branch of the ACM is hosting a showing of "The Face of Birth"

Calling all midwives and women who live in WA and would like to see this movie: The Face of Birth will be screened in the theatrette at the Dept of Health - Refreshments will be served prior to viewing.
"Scientific evidence shows that how we are born has a huge impact on our health and happiness - as babies, children and, for some of us - for the rest of our lives.
Home birth mothers believe that they are making the best and safest choice for themselves and their babies. Mainstream medicine in Australia, unlike the UK, thinks otherwise.
This is a film about families that choose to give birth at home, the midwives and health professionals who support them and a system that works against them".

DATE: 20 March 2012

TIME: 1800

COST: $20.00 pre-purchased tickets (internet details coming soon)

Door Tickets - $23.00

PLACE: WA Department of Health
189 Royal St, Perth, WA 6004

RSVP:to confirm attendance for catering and theatrette size please email acmwabranch@gmail.com

RANZCOG - Please give feedback - Collaborative agreement for midwives

RANZCOG has developed a template for Collaborative Maternity Care Agreement between Eligible Midwife and Specialist Obstetrician or General Practice Obstetrician for use by Specialist Obstetricians or GP Obstetricians and Eligible Midwives.

It is very important to give your Feedback.

It is acknowledged that the template agreement will not be suitable for all settings and that not all Obstetricians will wish to enter into a collaborative arrangement, but all comments will be considered.RANZCOG

Please send feedback to Rupert Sherwood by email to ganderson@ranzcog.edu.au or by fax to +61 3 9419 0672.

Sending your response is important, this is how your voice and numbers count, please be proactive, read the document in its entirety... and give your feedback.

Sydney Conference & AGM 2011

life has been so busy that I have finally have time to play catch up with the Sydney conference October 2011 - The conference was action packed in more ways than one: WA had a large contingent, some of us took the opportunity to have extra time off and see the sights of NSW.



What I love about conferences is meeting up with new and old acquaintances across the country.... and the world.



The keynote speakers were remarkable in particular for me was Sheena Byron, whose stories resonated with me.



The new flavour of the conference was the creative arts.... the yarning table was also a highlight of mine, as it gave you the opportunity to stop, relax, knit, sew and talk, chew the fat so to speak....The low of the conference was the small protest relating to 'women's right to choose place of birth no matter what the risk and be supported by a midwife'.... Midwives need to be supported from a regulatory / supervision model to enable us to do this...as legislation currently stands in Australia midwives are not supported to look after anything other than low risk for a homebirth.



The conference dinner was real hoot, red and black was the theme and most of the WA group all wore tiara's.... it was fantastic talking, dancing and meeting new midwives from around the country....a good time was had by all.



The organising committee did a great job... thank you: The next conference will be in Tasmania.....start saving....see you all there.

As much time is passed since the conference there will be a pictorial slide show in lieu of a summary, my apologies for that.

Cheers Pauline

General Meeting for all members of the WA ACM

Members of the Australian College of Midwives WA Branch are invited to attend a

General Meeting

Thursday 21st July 2011
Agnes Walsh House Lounge
1600 – 1700

RSVP: acmwabranch@gmail.com (for catering purposes please)

to vote for the Australian College of Midwives WA Branch Constitution

Come along and network and discuss the new constitution

The Executive Committee WA Branch

IMD Conference 2011: Home and Away

Come and join the WA ACM in celebrating International Midwives Day:

Friday 6th May 2011: 0830:1630 CITY WEST FUNCTION CENTRE: 45 PLAISTOWE MEWS: CITY WEST, WEST PERTH


Share in the experiences and challenges for midwives who care for pregnant and childbearing women in both local and developing world contexts. Gain insight into the setting up of a Midwifery Group Practice from the first Eligible Western Australian Midwife.

Finish the day networking with friends and colleagues at the sundowner enjoying drinks and nibbles.

Midwifery care of adolescent pregnant women: Australia vs South Africa - Marie Spearing, Deb Ireson, Ravani Duggan

Midwifery care in Sierra Leone - Brooke Jones

Trauma and torture - Renay Grech

National Update - ACM President Tracy Martin

The journey to become an Eligible Midwife- Pauline Costins

Setting up a group practice - Centred Midwifery Group Practice Inc midwives

REGISTRATION 08.30 - 09.00
Registration includes refreshments & lunch
Sundowner drinks and nibbles 16.30 - 17.30
Free parking all day

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE
3RD MAY 2011

EnquirIes: Elizabeth Ashton: Liz.Ashton@health.wa.gov.au

To Register
www.midwives.org.au
ACM NATIONAL OFFICE
(02) 6230 7333 1300 360 480 (free call)
Email: members@midwives.org.au

FULL DAY COST (GST INCLUSIVE)
MEMBERS $100 / NON -MEMBERS $120
STUDENTS $70 / GROUP BOOKING
(4 OR MORE ) DISCOUNT $10 PP
ACM CPD points apply
*Program subject to change

Film Night: Babies: 5th May 2011

We are celebrating International Day of the Midwife: This is a private viewing for midwives: Come and join us at the Windsor 98 Stirling Highway Nedlands May 5th 2011 to watch:

The adventure of a lifetime begins…

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Thomas Balmès, from an original idea by producer Alain Chabat, Babies simultaneously follows four babies around the world – from birth to first steps. The children are, respectively, in order of on-screen introduction: Ponijao, who lives with her family near Opuwo, Namibia; Bayarjargal, who resides with his family in Mongolia, near Bayanchandmani; Mari, who lives with her family in Tokyo, Japan; and Hattie, who resides with her family in the United States, in San Francisco.
Re-defining the nonfiction art form, Babies joyfully captures on film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us all.

View the trailer at:
www.focusfeatures.com/babies

Send us an email acmwabranch@gmail.com and let us know if you would like to purchase tickets: Cost:$15.00

To transfer directly into WA ACM Bank please use your surname & initial as a reference point; BSB 086 509 & Account number: 01516 6014 and then email us acmwabranch@gmail.com the receipt number to confirm the deposit of your funds.

Hope to see you all there..... cheers Pauline

Some rules for Facebook:

This is a timely reminder about the importance of confidentiality and professional conduct when using Facebook (FB)considering approximately 54% of Australians use this social medium.

After doing a web search regarding some legal issues on FB... I have come up with a list of rules that might help you keep out of trouble in the work place or anywhere else relating to FB.

Rule 1: really consider carefully who you are letting into your FB as a ‘friend’, if you allow mangers, work colleagues/associates this means you let your work into your private life. Ensure you have a closed privacy setting.

Rule 2: Do not mention anything to do with your work place no matter how insignificant you think it is... if you can be connected to your work by your comment you probably break the golden rules of ‘confidentially’ and ‘Code of Conduct’.

Rule 3: Be mindful of the photos of yourself you allow on FB, these photos become the property of FB and if you are acting in an unbecoming manner this could come back to bite you later. Don’t allow people to take your photo without asking you and letting you know if it is going on FB.

Rule 4: Do not write on FB when you are angry or under the influence of alcohol once the information is in cyber space it stays there: Internet Defamation is the fastest growing litigation ....so don’t write anything derogatory about anyone.

Rule 5: People seem to believe what you do outside of work does not affect your work life....WRONG....this is dependent on what it is and if you have you bought your profession/company/school into disrepute? Just think of our footballers .....there is a prime example of unbecoming behaviour.

Rule 6: Social responsibility: this is like a duty of care to society, a reciprocal duty: we owe society and society owes us a mutually beneficial obligation. Be kind to each other.

The bottom line for FB is be careful who you invite in your world, don’t talk about work, don’t say anything derogatory and be mindful of the photos you let FB have:Respect privacy:

Happy Facebooking!!!!!!!

WA Homebirth Policy open for public consultation... be pro-active: please review

Message for distribution via ACM WA blog:

Time to be pro active, have you say about how policies are written.... email healthpolicy@health.wa.gov.au for your copy of the Homebirth policy and give some feedback all feed back is welcome:


The Women's and Newborns' Health Network is seeking comments on a draft Home Birth Policy and Guidance for Health Professionals, Health Services and Consumers. The Review of homebirths in Western Australia released in August 2008 made recommendations for conducting home births in WA which have been incorporated into this Policy.

The Policy will be applicable to qualified health professionals (i.e. registered midwives and/or medical practitioners) working in the Western Australian public health system when caring for women who make an informed choice to give birth at home.

Please send an email to healthpolicy@health.wa.gov.au to request a copy of the Policy and a Feedback Form. The deadline for comments is 31 March 2011.

Kind regards

Dr Janet Hornbuckle and Assoc Prof Graeme Boardley
Co-Leads, Women's and Newborns' Health Network

WA Branch Executive Committee 2011

WA ACM Branch President Ms Terri Barrett:

Dear Members,

I am sorry for the delay in posting this information on the blog. I have been trying to play catch up with the posts:

Current WA Branch Positions are as follows:
President- Terri Barrett:
Vice President- Pauline Costins:
National Director- Tracy Martin:
Secretary- Laura Robertson:
Treasurer- Sylvia Jenkin:
Education Officer- Liz Ashton:
Minute secretary- Trish Dempsey:
Merchandise / Publicity- Carli Beange:
Community Rep- Sara Bayes:
General committee members- Liza Kennedy & Sue Cudlipp:
Consumer Rep- Shelley Gower:
MESAC rep- Janice Butt:
Student reps from ECU & Curtin Universities:
Education subcommittee- Carol Pinch & Judith Wilson:

Please feel free to contact the executive committee with any of your questions or if you require professional support: acmwabranch@gmail.com

WA congratulate Tracy Martin as the National President of the College and Terri Barrett as the WA President:

These are exciting times for midwifery and especially for WA with our own Director in the National President position.

With the National Maternity Plan signed off by the Federal Minister for Health in November last year, the jurisdictions are now looking to the implementation phase. The ACM WA Branch Executive Committee is committed to informing and supporting members on matters related to the maternity reform agenda.

At a local level the Executive Committee has recently undertaken their annual planning and will focus on increasing our membership, improving the services the Branch provides and ensuring that governance processes are transparent and robust. This will include the development of a ACM WA Branch specific Constitution. The Committee welcomes your input and we hope to see you at our International Midwife Day celebration: Terri Barrett WA President


Please once again don't hesitate to contact us if you want a chat, post something on the blog, have any idea's you want to share, or any education sessions you would like: email us on acmwabranch@gmail.com

Thanks for your time
Pauline

President’s Report – WA Branch 24th February 2011

This will be my last report as President of the ACM WA branch, at this point in time. Issues within the National Office have led me in another direction and as a result I have stepped down as President to take up the role as National Director for WA – replacing Pauline Costins. My term for this role will expire in November 2012. Terri Barrett has stepped in as President effective 11th February and Pauline Costins has taken up the Vice President position. WA is in good hands.
On the 8th January 2011, we had the WA Branch Strategic Planning Day, which was hosted by Dame Monica Holmes OAM. She guided us through what our strategic direction would be for the next 12 – 24 months. Keeping in line with National Strategic Plan for 2015 which include five strategic priorities:-
Advocacy for Midwives and Midwifery
Supporting midwives
Setting Professional Practice and Education Standards
Ensuring Access to Continuity of midwifery Care
Ensuring Good Governance.

We identified four key areas:
Governance
Membership
Education and Research and Public Relations.
These goals will form the framework for the WA Branch’s activity over the next few months.

Some of the strategies we will be looking at include engaging midwifery managers – they are the role models, looking at ways of engaging students and conducting a satisfaction survey. We will be inviting the Professor of Midwifery Yvonne Hauck to be part of the Executive Committee and broaden our research focus.
We will be looking at our constitution, which is timely given that the National constitution needs to be reviewed. We are improving governance around the financial management of the branch and reviewing role statements. A new MOU has been drawn up, for our continued use of the facilities at KEMH.
We will be developing a website and a calendar of events. We are well on the way for the planning for both our big functions – IMD celebrations and Conference and AGM. The year has started well and I look forward to being a part of WA’s direction.

Tracy Martin
Ex President WA Branch

President ACM

Strategic Planning Day:

On the 8th January 2011, we had the WA Branch Strategic Planning Day, which was hosted by Dame Monica Holmes OAM.
The WA Branch achieved many things over the last year, when we sat together and evaluated last years strategic plan we had achieved 90% of the plan, which was excellent: Highlights of the year included:
20% increase in local membership
Road show informing members of legislative changes / maternity reforms
Hospital site visits to increase College visibility and disseminate information
2 Major education sessions
Politically lobbing
Social Media - Facebook page and blog site
Support Go-Girl Australia

Time for a break a cuppa:



Monica guided us through what our strategic direction would be for the next 12 – 24 months. Keeping in line with National Strategic Plan for 2015 which include five strategic priorities:-
Advocacy for Midwives and Midwifery
Supporting midwives
Setting Professional Practice and Education Standards
Ensuring Access to Continuity of midwifery Care
Ensuring Good Governance.
We identified four key areas:
Governance
Membership
Education and Research and Public Relations.
These goals will form the framework for the WA Branch’s activity over the next few months.



The end of the day; time to shave a drink and have a laugh....

Safety and Quality Framework for Privately Practising Midwives attending homebirths:

The Safety and Quality Framework for Privately Practising Midwives is up on the AHPRA website..... click her to read whole framework;

IMPORTANT CLAUSE:

284 Exemption from requirement for professional indemnity insurance arrangements for midwives practising private midwifery
(1) During the transition period, a midwife does not contravene section 129(1) merely because the midwife practises private midwifery if—
(a) the practise occurs in a participating jurisdiction in which, immediately before the participation day for that jurisdiction, a person was not prohibited from attending homebirths in the course of practising midwifery unless professional indemnity insurance arrangements were in place; and
(b) informed consent has been given by the woman in relation to whom the midwife is practising private midwifery; and
(c) the midwife complies with any requirements set out in a code or guideline approved by the National Board under section 39 about the practise of private midwifery, including—
(i) any requirement in a code or guideline about reports to be provided by midwives practising private midwifery; and
(ii) any requirement in a code or guideline relating to the safety and quality of the practise of private midwifery

(2) A midwife who practises private midwifery under this section is not required to include in an annual statement under section 109 a declaration required by subsection (1)(a)(iv) and (v) of that section in relation to the midwife’s practise of private midwifery during a period of registration that is within the transition period.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the transition period—
(a) starts on 1 July 2010; and
(b) ends on the prescribed day.

The framework is to ensure safe high quality of care of th woman and her baby when choosing homecare by a private practising midwife;
It is good to see that the ACM Consultation and Referral Guidelines and the prinicpoes and practices in the NHMRC document are also key elements in this framework.

Resignation as WA Board Director

The ACM vision........... is to be the leading organisation shaping Australian maternity care for the benefit of women and their families
The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) is the peak professional body for Australian midwives, which strives to maximize the quality of midwifery and maternity care for Australian women and their families through:
• Providing a unified voice for the midwifery profession.
• Supporting midwives to reach their full potential.
• Ensuring all childbearing women have access to continuity of care by a known midwife.
• Setting professional practice and education standards

I believe in the above vision that is why I was both delighted and honoured to be elected the WA Board Director, unfortunately for me the position has only lasted l2mths and it was a challenging year. I spent the first few meetings finding my feet and dealing with the personalities of everyone on the Board as well as assessing the current political situation. I met some phenomenal women on the Board... and everyone works with what they consider is the “best interest” of the ACM.

I feel that WA is in a unique position that we do not have some of the issues faced by our counterparts in the Eastern States. It saddens me to say that I have resigned (December 2010). I am bound by confidentiality of the Board and therefore I cannot divulge the reasons why I resigned except to say that the situation was untenable and I have the support of the whole WA executive committee. This has not been an easy decision it was painstakingly difficult. The decision was made in the best interest of the ACM and its membership.

I continue to support and believe in the ACM Nationally. I will continue to put all my energy into the WA Branch to encourage its growth, support the membership and foster collegial and political relationships to further the profession of midwifery in WA and one day I will return to the National Board. The ACM works to support all midwives, ensuring that childbearing women have access to continuity of midwifery care.
I do believe as a profession we need a strong national body to represent all midwives, a body that is respected and accepted by all midwives to take us forward into the 21st century and I believe that the ACM can deliver this.

Regards your servant Pauline Costins

A year in reflection:

A reminder of the College Vision:

Our vision is to be the leading organisation shaping Australian maternity care for the benefit of women and their families
The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) is the peak professional body for Australian midwives, which strives to maximize the quality of midwifery and maternity care for Australian women and their families through:
• Providing a unified voice for the midwifery profession.
• Supporting midwives to reach their full potential.
• Ensuring all childbearing women have access to continuity of care by a known midwife.
• Setting professional practice and education standards

This has been an amazing year with many highs and lows.... everyone working hard for the College and the greater good ..... above all working to improve the choice for childbearing women and the midwives who work with women.


As I summarise the year from the blog entries I am in two minds as to how well we have done over the year....If I examine the word "well", skilfully, expertly, effectively, efficiently, adequately, admirably, conscientiously and proficiently - then I think as a Branch we have achieved this.... however as I read between the lines there has been some misfortune for me personally: as you can imagine writing a blog for the College I have to be mindful of confidentiality, defamation, ethics, conduct and my own professional standing....there is no such thing as freedom of speech.... however still offering news, honesty, general information etc.... therefore I have to be mindful of what is published.


I have to say that this rule has not been applied to myself and I am in the process of taking legal action against information wrongly published about me threatening my integrity and professional standing... this is a sad reflection of the times and soul destroying. Therefore this is a timely reminder to be mindful of what you publish on the Internet & email...... defamation is the fastest growing litigation....

The blog to date has had over 4500 hits...the blog posts have almost doubled and is up to date with current issues:

January was meeting the then Prime Minister & the Honorable Nicola Roxon, the Big Picture tour of the proposed changes for midwives; Februry.... new midwifery students and Homebirth rallies..... March... GoGirlAustralia... April.... ANMC here to stay as the "appointed accreditation body"... submissions for the "eligible midwife"... May... IMD celebrations...24hr Virtual IMD ..... and the farewell to Jill Banks....June... came the insurance debate, options and collaboration...July was D-Day for National Registration....and Collaborative arrangements... Determination 2010; concern for private practice, fear, stress, tears, it was a nightmare....


August...Australian Election....the nightmare continues; a hung Parliament... Homebirth...Collaborative arrangements...ACM National meeting & Breathing New life Conference Alice Springs....Sept... Determination still dominated the midwifery world... lobbying, emails...meetings with politicians...etc... GoGirlAustralia leaves Fremantle.....


October.. WA joins National Registration... APHRA comes alive for us.... Victorian conference and AGM also AGM for National.... November... History is made... Medicare Provider Numbers for eligible midwives..to date there are approximately 15 eligible midwives throughout Australia...December... first Midwife to get collaborative agreement.... lets hope this continues....
Trail Blazers, the inaugural Bachelor of Midwifery for WA prepares to enter the workforce as Midwives (who are not nurses), Barb Vernon EO of the ACM resigns and change is in the air..... i have always said as a College we need to be united... "united we stand divided we fall" I am going to pinch a quote from Obama's State Union address " we face big and difficult challenges, we do not give up, we do not quit. We do not allow our fear or division to break our spirit".


Xmas dinner
Thank you to a wonderful executive team we have in WA.... the whole team has worked very hard and continue to work hard for the WA members and women of the State....wishing you all a happy and successful 2011.

My wish for the College & the year ahead:

"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results."~ Andrew Carnegie

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." Henry Ford

signing of for 2010, see you in the New Year, wishing you all a safe, happy, successful 2011. Pauline Costins

A farewell tribute to Barb Vernon

Midwife means ‘with woman’. This meaning shapes midwifery’s philosophy, work and relationships........recognises every woman’s right to self-determination in attaining choice, control and continuity of care from one or more known caregivers...

The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) is the peak professional body for Australian midwives, which strives to maximize the quality of midwifery and maternity care for Australian women and their families through:
• Providing a unified voice for the midwifery profession.
• Supporting midwives to reach their full potential.
• Ensuring all childbearing women have access to continuity of care by a known midwife.
• Setting professional practice and education standards

I remember meeting Barb Vernon at the WA conference in 2003; this was around the time that Barb started off as the Executive Office for the College. I have always found Barb to be engaging, passionate and her focus was always to take the College to great heights; She has taught me the benefits of being politically savvy and most importantly being a quiet but forceful lobbyer; I regret having less than 10 months as a Board Director to learn from this phenomenal woman. I will not spend my time saying how amazing I thought Barb was, we all know that, and yes we all have our short comings, none of us are perfect, least of all me, however Barbs achievements speaks volumes.....and here creditability is without question.


It is remarkable what Barb has done for women, midwives and midwifery of Australia and where she has taken the College too in the last 7.5 years.... if you mention her name it is synonymous with the ACM: I can’t count the number of times I have heard people say “Barb Vernon, yes a very articulate and intelligent woman” “you’re lucky to have her” and they are correct.


Barb has always put her heart and soul into everything she has done for the College... her major achievements is as follows: (and I have not listed them all).
Medicare funding, provision of PBS and prescribing rights for midwives, national standards for entry to midwifery, establishment of separate, national professional standards for midwifery, separate register for midwives in the new national registration recognising midwifery in its own right, the development of the Midwifery Practice Review, MidPLUS, online CPD and portfolios, the development of an internationally recognised peer review journal for midwives, the list is endless;


For me what Barb has done most is establish mutually respectful and collaborative relationships with key national health organisations, such as, Australian Nursing Federation, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, the National Rural Health Alliance and many others...... She has forged a way forward politically, established good working relationships..... with Health Ministers etc. The college has had phenomenal growth to date; excellent collegial relationships with major stake holders expanded the College activities and services to members for the future and good political ties, the College is at the table for discussions and this is due to Barbs excellent political and lobbying skills.


There does come a time to say goodbye, when you have done all you can and for someone else to come along and take the college the next step, sadly that time has come for us. I bid Barb Vernon a fond good bye and wish her every success in life; and say the ACM & women owe her a multitude of thanks – we went part of the way in thanking her when we celebrated Barb’s achievements at a farewell in Canberra last week.

I am going to leave you with one of my favourite sayings Barb; an Irish Blessing (A Blessing from St. Patrick)

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

(Traditional Irish Blessing; origin unknown,
although some attribute it to St. Patrick.)



THANK YOU: THANK YOU: THANK YOU: THANK YOU: THANK YOU:

In the best interest

This blog is not meant to reflect any one person or persons: it is pondering on the phrase “In the best interest”: what does this really mean? when it comes to law and ethics there are two very different meanings, traditionally when we refer to children you might consider that parents and doctors talk about “in the best interest” it means what is considered to be best for the child...not what is best for the adult, there are times when both the doctor and the parents do not agree as to what is in the child’s best interest. “Best interests” is the doctrine used by most courts to determine a wide range of issues relating to the well-being of children.

My discussion today is about “in the best interest for the College” – now we are looking at “best interest” from a different perspective: you are looking at a philosophy, an organisation and the people within that organisation: 8 people on a Board an EO, office support staff and the membership & stakeholders: Without the membership nothing else exists:

Defintion of “Best Interest” Authority delegated for taking any action or step the delegatee thinks to be the most advantageous to the organization, under the circumstances. This power is conferred usually where it is impossible to anticipate every eventuality, or where the need for rapid decisions or quick response is critical. It is normally given for a short period, or until the time adequate information is available to formulate specific directions or guidelines.

Just to explain some general governance processes of a board for those who may not be familiar with this process: Usually an organisation will have a Constitution Governance Charter (which sets out the ground rules and job descriptions)and several other polices: The board directors are the strategic thinkers they set future goals and represent the college on the National & political front; The directors are selected by the State Membership, this does not mean that the State Board director is responsible to the state they are the National Board director from each state and territory looking after the best interest of the National College: the board director may choose to report back to the State branch to keep them informed about National issues: Therefore the National College has 8 board directors: from this the office bearers are elected the; College President, Vice President and Treasurer; All the directors are volunteers, this is an unpaid position, done as a professional duty to further the profession.

The executive officer is a salaried position; appointed via advertisement and a panel interview: The EO is responsible for carrying out the strategic plans that the board develops: and managing the office staff to carry out the work required in assisting the membership etc the day to day minutia that is required of an organisation of a 5500 membership; The board directors do not venture into the realm of the EO, that is the day to day running of the college.

In order for an organisation to function well you have to have a president and an EO that can work together and a board that is united in philosophy – they do not have to necessarily see eye to eye but they have to know how to agree to disagree and come to reasoned decisions, the ability to argue respectfully, have insight to their behaviour and most importantly have integrity. You have to leave your own agenda at the door, because the focus is “in the best interest of the College” that is for all 5500 members not just certain sectors of the membership. Confidentiality is a vital component to any board, mutual respect and good governance. Once on the board it is a National board, no state or territory exists, however this does not stop factions, such as state biases, homebirth etc

If directors come to the table with different agendas and ego’s the ability to have insight is difficult and decisions are clouded by the comment “in the best interest” my question is whose “best interest” are they truly serving? When you have powerful people in the room you are bound to get explosions, what is required is reasoned arguments, powers of persuasion without bullying and mutual respect.... once respect is gone there is a breakdown in communication because there is a tug of war about “the best interest” this is blatantly clear because there is a breakdown of respect and the factions then take over or the personal loyalties to people rather than “the best interest of the College” and then the battle begins.

The other over powering conflict that may influence how boards behave is outside influence – everyone else knows how to run the board – everyone looking into the fish bowl thinks they know best and want their two cents worth – this can be detrimental – again this comes down to a breakdown of trust and the issue of “the best interest” again I ask “whose best interest” or “whose agenda”? Once you as a board member breach confidentiality and let the outside world in...... it opens the board to criticism.... there is a fine line between being transparent and breaching confidences that lead to untenable situations.

If you do not have good governance you will not be able to function as expected and when things go pear shaped you have nothing to fall back on, it is imperative to ensure there are appropriate governance structures in place to protect your board and organisation.

I am truly saddened that great women have been wounded –in my experience 95% of people are good....but sure as hell that 5% can cause havoc, there is always a minority that cause you to have to reconsider your point of view:

I am disappointed that I have not been able to achieve the things I wanted and have a heavy heart however I am confident I have followed my heart and acted “in the best interest of the College”.

KEEPING BIRTH NORMAL:

Thanks Carolyn (Thinkbirth)for this link: and yes Carolyn you are correct in saying every item could be a blog on its own......

The World Health Organization (WHO) definition of normal birth is: ‘Spontaneous in onset, low-risk at the start of labour and remaining so throughout labour and delivery. The infant is born spontaneously in the vertex position between 37 and 42 completed weeks of pregnancy. After birth mother and infant are in good condition’.

It is a pity not every State and Territory in Australia adopts this policy TOWARDS NORMAL BIRTH: NSW is leading the way: the policy is aimed to increase normal birth and decrease surgical intervention. Western Australia needs to take a leaf out of the NSW book: I may even suggest it to our Minister of Health and our Chief Nurse and our Midwifery Advisor to see if we could not adopt this proactive lead to ensure that Normal Birth is the focus; even better I might give them Carolyn's 21 strategies to keep birth normal........

10 Steps
1. Have a written normal birth policy/guidelines, along with other
relevant policies, that are routinely communicated to all health care staff

2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to
implement this policy

3. Provide or facilitate access to midwifery continuity of carer programs in collaboration with GPs and obstetricians for all women with appropriate consultation, referral and transfer guidelines in place

4. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits of normal birth and
factors that promote normal birth

5. Have a written policy on pain relief in labour that includes the use
of water immersion in labour and birth

6. Have a written postdates policy/guideline that is routinely
communicated to all health care staff (All women have an agreed due date of birth
documented in their health record)

7. Provide or facilitate access to vaginal birth after caesarean section
operation (VBAC) that is supported by a written vaginal birth after
caesarean section operation policy/guideline (develop statewide workshop of GPs, midwives and obstetricians to exchange views and skills regarding VBAC)

8. Provide or facilitate access to external cephalic version

9. Provide one to one care in labour for all women experiencing their
first labour or undertaking a vaginal birth after caesarean section
operation, vaginal breech or vaginal twin birth (implement local guidelines/protocols that discourage activities that separate midwives from the woman in labour. This includes the use of centralised monitoring systems as they discourage midwives from being with the woman in the labour room)

10. Provide formal debriefing in the immediate postpartum period for all women requiring primary caesarean section operation or instrumental birth with the opportunity for further discussion and information transfer

What I really like is Carolyn's inspirational and passionate list: this is how it should really read....in plain simple language that everyone understands....

Carolyn's 21 Strategies to help keep birth Normal:

1. Avert the medical 'gaze'

2. Be powerful and able to negotiate as equals to doctors

3. Establish a "round table culture'

4. Dispel 'urban myths' about birth

5. Support women to choose upright positions in labour

6. Educate teenagers

7. Promote the use of positive images of birth

8. Look at system issues: promote and change to woman centred midwifery models

9. Discuss what normal birth means to us and ensure we are talking about the same things

10. Listen to women with respect - what does the woman want?

11. Encourage women in labour to stay home as long as possible

12. Establish and provide support structures to help women stay at home in early labour

13.Establish and provide support structures so women can choose to stay home to give birth if desired

14. Examine our own attitudes to 'being with woman' in pain and uncertainty

15. Seek to establish a relationship with each woman

16. Allay fear: let woman know what birth is really about

17. Address anxiety of support people and other health professionals

18. Pay attention to the language we use

19. Have confidence in women's ability to give birth

20. Pay attention to our body language as body language conveys meaning: what are we saying?

21. Set up birth space intentionally - find out what makes each woman feel safe and do that.

Check out the Determination for Medicare Provider Numbers

Please have a look at the Health Insurance (Midwife and Nurse Practitioner)Determination 2010Health Insurance Act 1973
I, NICOLA ROXON, Minister for Health and Ageing, make this Determination under
section 3C of the Health Insurance Act 1973.
Dated 4 October 2010

This determination comes into force 1 November; Midwifery services and fees range from $31.10 - $724.00 and providing a service fee for 6 weeks postnatal period...

We have to remember that this does not cover homebirth and we need to continue to put pressure on the government to pass this midwifery services fee onto women who choose to have a homebirth.....

Cycling around Australia...Where is Marg Phelan up to

Here is an Update from Marg.... see where she is now;they have done really well, what an achievement to cycle across the Nullabor, I remember many years ago driving across and thinking my God miles and miles of complete nothingness...but spectacular at the same time.. I couldn't imagine cycling across.....what a phenomenal group of women... here is part of Marg's email letting us know where she is.....

Hi all
We are half way across the Nullabor. We are at Eucla for 2 nights and move on tomorrow. We have been out of phone and internet cover for the past week so unable to contact anyone.
Hope all is good for you and everything is going as planned.
Cycling going well in spite of head winds, cool temperatures and some rain. Robyn is doing a great job with Muriel (name of the van) and the roadies duties
We have 6 more days of no coverage till we get to Ceduna.

Check out our website www.gogirlaustralia.net.au as Su has put more photos on and some more on the blog.

Love and hugs to you all
Gogirls xxx

Marg Phelan, Midwife

www.gogirlaustralia.net.au
Cycling for midwives, women
Normal birth & breastfeeding