Have your say on what the 'Eligible Midwife' will be

Well here it is the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has released a draft of what 'eligible midwife' may look like.....

The Key points are as follows;
1. Current general registration as a midwife in Australia with no restrictions on practice - having as it does all the requirements for eligibility for registration under the Act.

2. Practice for at least three years across the continuum of midwifery care (ante-natal care, intrapartum care and post-partum care of women and their infants), within the previous 5 years.

3. participation in an additional 20 hours per year of continuing professional development relevant to the continuum of midwifery care.

4. successful completion of a NMBA approved professional midwifery practice review program for midwives working across the continuum of midwifery care.

5. compliance with the collaboration requirements for eligible midwives- that is the requirements for midwives to work collaboratively with other health professionals as outlined in regulation and national health policy instruments.

6. successful completion of an accredited and approved program of study determined by the Board to develop midwives' knowledge and skills in prescribing, or a program that is substantially equivalent to such an approved program of study (at midwifery post graduate level and designed around the flour components of prescribing - information gathering, clinical decision making, generation of medication order and monitoring the review.

As the model of care for eligible midwives is across the continuum of maternity care, eligibility is contingent upon all requirements being met..... therefore once a midwife has been endorsed as an eligible midwife; and authorised and provided with the necessary provider number by Medicare Australia: READ the full document Guidelines & Assessment framework for the recognition & endorsement of eligible midwives

2 Endorsement to practice as an eligible midwife (to read the full document click the hyperlink)

To be entitled to endorsement under section 98 of the National Law an applicant wishing to be identified as an eligible midwife must be able to meet all the requirements including being a currently registered midwife in Australia; being able to demonstrate through professional review of practice at least 3 years experience across the continuum of midwifery care within the 5 year period preceding the application, comply with the collaboration requirements for eligible midwives; and have an approved qualification to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe and supply scheduled medicines required for practice across that
continuum of midwifery care.

Wording to appear on the register
Endorsed as an eligible midwife working across the continuum of midwifery care and qualified to provide the associated services, order diagnostic investigations and administer, obtain, possess, prescribe and supply schedule 2,3,4 & 8 medicines in
accordance with relevant State and Territory legislation, required for midwifery practice.

If you wish to provide comments on this paper, please lodge a written submission in electronic form by email to natboards@dhs.vic.gov.au by close of business on Wednesday 27 April 2010.

PLEASE FORWARD COMMENTS....if you wish please respond to the blog and I will collate the comments for a submission, but you need to add your name to the comments, otherwise they will not be included....... Now is the time to have your say..... get women, mothers, consumers....anyone who is interested in birthing in Australia needs to have a say....this is the future of Homebirth and Private Practice in Australia.....there is a short consulation period so please do it now!

Cheers Pauline

Have you registered?

Have you registered for International Midwives Day 2010?
Midwifery: Diverse Care for a Diverse Community At UWA May 1st

Register now!
It’s easy - just call ACM National Office (02) 6230 733 or 1300 360 480
and pay by credit card Or go to www.midwives.org.au Or email members@midwives.org.au
6 MidPlus points for attending

ACM Education Committee

Maternity Services Reforms: indemnity insurance - what is it going to cost?

Maternity Services Reforms
More choice for women – indemnity insurance for midwives
Indemnity insurance - protection for midwives

As you are all aware from July 1st 2010 National Registration starts: this means that Privately-practising, eligible midwives will be able to access Australian Government supported professional indemnity insurance from 1 July 2010. The Dept of Health and Aging has released this document; Maternity Services Reforms
More choice for women – indemnity insurance for midwives;

I am not so sure about the offer......The premium for a midwife in full time practice is expected to be around $7,500 per year, that is $144.23 per week. However this insurance will not cover the planned delivery of babies in the home – for which there is a two year exemption from the requirement under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for midwives to hold professional indemnity insurance. It should be noted that the exemption relates only to the actual homebirth.

I wonder how many hoops midwives have to jump through to be an eligible midwife? I would of thought that after completing the required course to become a midwife you would be qualified to work as a midwife..... but Alas this is not the case in Australia it seems that we have to do even more to obtain the new reforms proposed....they say that....Pregnant women and new mothers will have more choice in maternity care because the clients of eligible midwives with professional indemnity insurance will be able to access services subsidised by the Government through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

I feel that women will have less choice because there will not be any 'eligible midwives', and I suppose that will suit the AMA.....what happened to fair play? and equal opportunities? Where is the ethics in all of this?.... it seems that ethical principles have gone out the window....

I ask at what price is this privilege coming and by privilege I mean MBS & PBS..... we are introducing another word, phrase, type, description of a midwife... the 'eligible midwife' who is currently the private practicing midwife or independent midwife.... how many of the current private practice midwives will be able to jump through the hoops...and we do not yet know what those hoops are???? if this offer of indemnity insurance is anything to go by... I suspect we are in trouble......

Definition of a Midwife

A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational programme, duly recognised in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practise midwifery.
The midwife is recognised as a responsible and accountable professional who works in
partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy,labour and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife’s own responsibility and to provide care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventative measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical care or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures.
The midwife has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and the community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women’s health, sexual or reproductive health and child care.
A midwife may practise in any setting including the home, community, hospitals, clinics or health units.

Reference of definition: International Confederation of Midwives

Draft National Guidance on Collaborative Maternity Care

OK if you want to see what Collaborative Maternity Care might look like.....here it is...
Its time to make a comment....it is time to review the Draft National Guidance on Collaborative Maternity Care: The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has produced this document with input from many sources....it is our turn to comment, what do you think is good, bad, not so good, what needs adding or taking out....public consultation is the time you have to put forward your ideas so take the opportunity to do so.....be proactive...this is our future as midwives....

The current public and targeted consultation period ends on April 27th 2010.

To view the Draft Guidance document and for information on making a submission go to the NHMRC website - www.nhmrc.gov.au - then click on public consultations under the ?quick links? heading.


If you have any questions about the project or about making a submission please contact the NHMRC project team via email: gill.hall@nhmrc.gov.au or phone: 02 62175196

"In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed". Charles Darwin

Cheers Pauline

Have you started your MidPLUS?

I can hear you saying what is MidPLUS..... well you might just ask that.... I am usually very diligent with maintaining paper base professional portfolio, I always have not sure why some people are just anally retentive about things like that and I am one of them. I am slowly moving to an iPortfolio as well....but that is another blog. What I like about MidPLUS is that it can be both paper or computer base which ever you prefer.....as I am in limbo it is great for me...

What is MidPLUS

MidPLUS is a best practice continuing professional development (CPD) program for Australian midwives. MidPLUS is uniquely designed by midwives for midwives.
MidPLUS aims to help you to plan and participate in CPD activities that are relevant to your learning needs and your midwifery practice or role. In so doing, MidPLUS supports the provision of high quality, woman-centred midwifery care. (ACM)

When you enroll in MidPLUS you receive a Portfolio (folder) and reflective practice guide; planning pro formas; a personal online CPD log; regular updates about quality CPD activities for midwives, and ongoing support to assist you to keep up-to date with developments in midwifery practice. its a great package..... well worth it and the support when you call because you are unsure of how to complete a section was tremendous.

With National Registration and Eligibility looming I wanted to be up to scratch.... ready to go....so that means having evidence to prove I am an eligible midwife.

The challenge for me has been starting MidPLUS, the folder has been sitting collecting dust on my bookshelf, staring down at me begging the question "when are you going to start me and see what I am all about. You paid good money for me - so now put me to good use".
Procrastination is a great thing...... but today I conquered MidPLUS and it wasn't that bad.... in fact I am impressed.. I logged more than the required hours of professional development (CPD) once i started i couldn't stop....and I am going to share how I did that. If you keep it up... that is update every 6 months then it wouldn't take as long....but like anything when it is new it will take a little longer.

Firstly I write all study days, conferences, meetings,reviewing policy, reading an articles, and teaching sessions in my diary. My certificates are usually in my portfolio and reflections stored in my computer. It was a matter of collating all that information into the new format. It was good flicking through my diary for the dates....

There are two ways of logging actives: Active and Passive; attending a study day would be active and reading an article would be passive. You need to complete 30 hours of active CPD in a year, but you know we generally do more than that, this is a way of logging what we do. 20 hours need to be from the Active category and 10 from the Passive range.

First step; login to MidPLUS then scroll down and choose Log an activity - here you will write the description of the activity, date, time and small reflection of what you learnt, then you will log the hours it took - so I will use the Magic of Midwifery study day as an example - the points awarded for the day would be 6 points which is equal to 1 point per hour (not including breaks).... this is the general rule, this would be active; as I was on the education committee and I would be reviewing the presentations I could log that time as passive so I would log 2 hours for reviewing the program and presentations. To validate this activity I would upload the certificate of attendance or the program for the day, I would also upload the minutes from the education committee meetings as proof of my participation.

Another example would be I am asked to review the hospital policy on transferring neonates to the teritary unit. I would log this as active, the time it takes me to review the policy and the articles I read to improve the policy and keep it evidenced based.... therefore this may take me a few hours over several days.... in total 2 hrs a day for a week = 10hrs of active CPD.... I would upload the new policy as evidence of the activity. Remembering that my MidPLUS is totally confidential.

Take the first step and start your MidPLUS.....if you haven't enrolled yet into MidPLUS now is your opportunity...... click here for more information.....go ahead it is well worth the effort....

24 Hour Virtual International Day of the Midwife, celebrate in the comfort of your home

The count down has began to this great event......
Take some time out and have a look at the 24 Hour Virtual International Day of the Midwife 2010. Come and celebrate with us.... the 24 hour Virtual day has been planned by Sarah Stewart from Otago Polytechnic Education Development Centre (NZ) and Dr Deborah Davis from the University of Technology in Sydney.

I participated & presented last year and found it a brilliant experience.... most amazing was being able to talk to students and midwives all over the world sitting at my desk at home......its a great concept, networking, sharing with like minded people.

What do you need to be part of it....well that's easy, a computer, Internet and Elluminate.... what is Elluminate it is a virtual meeting room, you need to get access to it .....please click here: How to use Elluminate

Check out the times and the program 24 Hour Virtual International Day of the Midwife 2010 - planning page

Go on be daring try something different..... spread the word see you there.

Go Girl Australia

Cycling for midwives, women, normal birth and breastfeeding
Who is Go Girl Australia you might well ask..... it is someone that you may well know..... Marg Phelan - Midwife

Go Girl Australia
I met Marg in 2003 when she was the was very involved with the College of Midwives (ACM) at state and national level, including a two-year term as National President. "Marg sees pregnancy, labour and birth as a normal physiological process, and believes that for normal pregnancies, homebirth is a safe and enormously rewarding experience. She recently had the honour and privilege to be midwife for daughter-in-law Mei Mei and son Paul during the homebirth of their beautiful boy in December 2008".

Now working in the Darwin Homebirth Service, Marg is able to offer the model of care to which she believes all women are entitled.

Go Girl Australia is a not-for-profit venture that aims to promote continuity of care from a known midwife, normal birth and breastfeeding.

Follow Marg's journey..... see the map..... she will be in WA:
Darwin to Broome (April - June 2010)
Broome to Perth (23 July - 2 September 2010)
Broome to Kalgoorlie (August - mid September)

If you know midwives in these areas please forward them this link and let them know when Marg is there area so that we can celebrate her journey..... and help the cause. Go Girl Go

Want to sponsor the cause click here
Go Girl Australia is a self-funded, not-for-profit venture and its purpose is not to raise funds, but to raise awareness and improve education. There are many ways you can support us.
Join us on part of the ride
Make placards and signs to display as we pass through your town
Organise a get-together for women in your area - Marg will be happy to speak at your event
Sponsor us with donations of cash, fuel vouchers, cycling gear, bike parts, accommodation, food
Advertise Go Girl Australia through your business or community group

Can't wait to greet you in Perth Marg and safe journey......

Midwifery: Diverse Care for a diverse Community

WA Branch of the Australian College of Midwives presents:

International Midwives Day - Midwifery Diverse Care for a diverse Community:

When: Saturday 1st May 2010

Time: 8.00 - 17.00

Where: The university club of Western Australia,
University of Western Australia, Hackett drive, Crawley Entrance No1,
car park 3

Come and celebrate, with your friends and colleagues, the work of midwives and the
profession of midwifery. Walk in the shoes of a rural midwife, gain some insight into the world of migrant women, obtain practical help with MidPLUS and hear the latest updates from the college. Finish the day and relax with some gentle
Tai Chi followed by sundowner (drinks & nibbles).

• Rural Midwifery - Arlene Manado
• Migrant Women: The Afghan Perspective - Susan Vessey &
Margaret Broadbent
• Having trouble getting started with MidPLUS ? Unsure about
Midwifery Practise Review? MidPLUS workshop -
Karen Kruit and Shelley Gower
• Midwifery Care in Tanzania - Janice Butt
• Meeting Diverse Needs: Women and Newborn Drug and
Alcohol Service - Sadie Geraghty
• Tai Chi - an introduction to the gentle exercise of mind and body
• Live Entertainment and Spot Prizes
• Johnson & Johnson WA Midwife of the Year Award

Please click this link for the application form

REGISTRATION 08.00 - 08.30 Registration includes refreshments & lunch
Sundowner 16.00 – 17.00 Free parking all day

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE
27TH APRIL 2010
Enquires:
PAULINE MOORE 0407 421 191
acmwabranch@gmail.com
To Register
www.midwives.org.au
ACM NATIONAL OFFICE
(02) 6230 733 1300 360 480
FUL DAY COST (GST INCLUSIVE)
MEMBERS $100 / NON -MEMBERS $120
STUDENTS $70 / GROUP BOO KING
(4 OR MORE ) DIS COUNT $10 PP
ACM CPD points apply
*Program subject to change

see you there............for the celebrations

Midwifery workshops......coming up

Birth International is conducting the following workshops....the workshop is being hosted by the With Woman Collective:

Come on book early.......limited spaces

PERTH WA
Effective Prenatal Education Workshop Dates

Monday May 31 to Friday June 4, 2010
9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. each day

Registration
Registration fee is $750.00. The workshop fee includes refreshments but not lunch (available at many locations nearby). Book display and copies of Andrea's books will be available during the workshop.

Workshop numbers are limited to 20 places, allocated as registrations are received. A pre-reading pack will be sent out to those registered, one month before the program begins. Registration for this program closes on May 4, 2010
To receive a registration form or for more information please contact Penny Hardy on 0406 102 203 0406 102 203 or at withwomancollective@gmail.com

Active Birth Workshop Dates

PERTH WA
Thursday May 27 & Friday MAy 28, 2010
This workshop is being hosted by the With Woman Collective. To enrol in this workshop, please contact Penny Hardy on 0406 102 203 0406 102 203 or at withwomancollective@gmail.com

BUNBURY WA
Saturday May 29 & Sunday May 30, 2010
This workshop is being hosted by the With Woman Collective. To enrol in this workshop, please contact Penny Hardy on 0406 102 203 0406 102 203 or at withwomancollective@gmail.com



More about Birth International here: http://www.birthinternational.com/

Cheers Pauline

Come Join the Celebrations for IMD......Mark your Diaries WA Midwives

.............2010 International Midwives Day

Midwifery:Diverse Care For a Diverse Community
.............Rural and Migrant midwifery care
................MidPLUS workshop
.................Midwifery Practice Review

coming soon to UWA on Saturday May 1st 2010
.......Good food, Good Company, Great Day
.............details to follow soon

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INFORMATION

See you there The Education Committee