Nurses & Midwives Awards 2009

The Nurses & Midwives Board of WA presents the Western Australian Nursing & Midwives Excellence Awards 2009 which was held in the Grand Ballroom Burswood Entertainment Complex, on Saturday 29th August.

Pre-dinner drinks were served at 6.30pm, this was an opportunity to mingle and see the who’s who of the Nursing and Midwifery fraternity. This was also the opportune time to notice what everyone was wearing the fashion for the evening, there were some beautiful gowns worn. This is the highlight of the nursing and midwifery calendar where all health professionals, government officials, partners and friends all come to celebrate the excellence of the wonderful nurses and midwives of this state.



The Excellence Awards have 15 categories, The Board received over 170 submissions for nomination, and all applications are of a high standard. The awards are about celebrating, acknowledging commitment and dedication of the nurses and midwives for the excellent health care service provided for the State.

The Master of Ceremonies was Ms Tina Altieri from channel 7, she did a very professional job and managed a laugh or two, Tina made special mention about how important research was to her through her work through telethon.

Adjunct Associate Professor Robyn Collins, Chief Executive Officer of The Board warmly welcomed all the guests and the presentations began. Firstly Ms Elisabeth Bickley – 2008 Nurse / Midwife of the year talked about the benefits of wining and what sort of year she had.



The Graduate Midwife of the Year had three finalists, Annastacia Middleton-Mather, Rebecca Hayes, both from KEMH and Sarah Sheehan from SJOG, the winner was Sarah Sheehan from SJOG hospital.
The winner of Nurse and or Midwife of the year was won by Marie Slater Clinical Nurse Manager of Osborne Park Hospital.



Congratulations to all the Nurses and Midwives of the State of WA. Enjoy some of the photos from the evening:

Opposition Threatens to Obstruct Landmark Health Reform legislation

This is very disappointing news and I hope that it amounts to nothing.

A media release from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council

report that the federal opposition is not supportive of the new legislation:

The federal opposition has indicated their unwillingness to support landmark legislation which will improve access for the Australian public to quality healthcare and a greater choice of providers by enabling nurse practitioners and eligible midwives to access the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Schemes. Related Bills will also guarantee access for eligible midwives to professional indemnity through a scheme underwritten by the commonwealth government.

Please contact your local member of Parliament and have your voice heard, urge for the support of these Bills:

The ANMC urges all parties to support the passage of this key health reform legislation through the parliament to demonstrate their commitment to high quality healthcare provision and choice for Australian healthcare consumers............

Minister Roxon has also indicated a commitment to resolving those issues of access to professional indemnity insurance for eligible midwives assisting women who chose to birth at home. These issues have arisen through the revised requirements for national registration and accreditation of health professionals. ANMC will also continue to pursue this dialogue to a positive outcome for consumers of maternity services in the interests of safe, quality healthcare for the Australian community.

Come on now is the time to be pro-active and be heard!

Pauline

WA ACM Branch presents: "The Magic of Midwifery"

The WA Branch of the ACM presents "The Magic of Midwifery" come and enjoy this study day, network with like minded midwives.

Have your say about your college at the Annual General Meeting. There is also the opportunity to become active within the WA Branch by joining the education committee, a general committee representative or be part of the research team. Join us for a sundowner at the end of the day to network and socialise.

When: Friday 13th November 2009
Where: 45 Plaistowe Mews, City West Function Centre, City West, East Perth
Time: 0800 - 1630
Lots of parking available, all refreshments included.

Come and spend a day finding out
what’s new in the world of midwifery,
be motivated and inspired by Barb
Vernon ACM Executive Officer, hear
updates from the college at our branch
AGM and then finish off the day with
a sundowner catching up with old
friends and colleagues.

• Are you prepared for National Registration?
Barb Vernon & Abby Clemence ACM National

• Midwifery Group Practice - Donna Brooking

• Antenatal Education - “A menu approach” Jill Banks

• Midwifery Language - Annis Middleton - Mather

• Continuity of Care Experience
- Gemma Davies BSc/Mid Student

• The role of the Doula - Australian Doulas

• WA Water Birth Policy - Janice Butt

• Intermittent Auscultation - Lesley Kuliukas

• Annual General Meeting

Click here for link to application form and payment details.

See you all there Pauline

2500 submissions to the Senate! Buy your virtual rally ticket?

Have you bought your Virtual ticket for the Homebirth Rally? I have, its the first time I'm participating in a virtual rally, its all very exciting, I have uploaded my picture and 25 words for my banner, can't wait to see it.

Homebirth Australia Virtual ticket $25.00

This has been taken from the homebirth site, please click on the link and have a look at whats happening with Homebirth.

NEWS RELEASE
Thursday August 6 2009
Contact: Justine Caines 0408 210 273

2500+ submissions received. A likely Senate record.
Women tell Minister Roxon their rights matter


"The intersection of two pieces of proposed legislation has the ability to make homebirth midwifery unlawful in Australia. Bills related to Medicare are under review of the Community Affairs Committee. Public hearings will be held today on an issue that is shaping up to be the catalyst of a new wave of feminism."

Now we know that the Bills are likely to be passed, however Homebirth continues to be at the forefront of discussions.

watch this space, buy your virtual rally ticket.

Pauline

Book now for Sara Wickham - Perth workshop in October

Midwifery Update Workshops with Sara Wickham

Early bird closes 31st August hurry and book!


CAPERS is bringing Sara Wickham to Perth for two one-day workshops 23 - 24 October. The workshops are MidPLUS endorsed, for 6 points a day. We received very positive feedback for Sara's workshops in March.

Sara Wickham will present two 1-day Midwifery Update workshops ‘Midwives, Women, Risk and Decisions’ and ‘Exploring Midwifery Knowledge’ in Perth (23/4 October at the Mercure on Pier St). You can register for one or both days, on-site registration is not available. Early registration closes 31 August. The Midwifery Update workshops are endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives MidPLUS program, and are entitled to 6 points per day.

Click here for the registration form

If you have any thing interesting you wish to add to this blog site please send it to me for posting.

Cheers Pauline

Exposure draft of Bill B read the submissions!

To understand the new legislation, read this section - this gives a quick guide to general questions asked. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - ON THE EXPOSURE DRAFT OF THE HEALTH PRACTITIONER REGULATION NATIONAL LAW 2009

Now have a look at some of the submissions for Bill B - there have been many submissions, so much so that I think the government has to rethink the issue of Homebirth and indemnity insurance - very interesting reading!

To mention a few, the AMA submission makes for interesting reading, as well as the ACM, Maternity Collation and the ANF plus many more.

There are many submissions from women that are very supportive and a pleasure to read! I have only managed a third of the submissions to date.

I thought putting the link here would encourage you to have a look what the community is saying about Bill B.

I have randomly selected some submissions for you to just click on the link - then you are on your own.

Toni Appleby
Megan Gardiner
Billy MacDonald
Michelle Rabbidge
Universities Australia
Marion Yates

Keep motivated, for women's choice about birthing options.