A Festschrift to celebrate the careers of two remarkable women:

I was privileged today to find myself sitting amongst many wonderful people and some great academics, I heard many wonderful stories of two amazing women who have had diverse and awe-inspiring careers which has had tremendous impact on the midwifery profession and will do for many years to come, Pat Brodie & Nicky Leap.



Until today I did not know what a “Festchrift” was, I meant to look it up on the internet….but just did not get round to it…. So was relieved today when I heard lots of people had no idea what it was…..and that it actually means “a living book of your life” a celebration of your career by others on the occasion of retirement, what a fantastic idea, just brilliant….. Someone likened it to being at your own funeral, except you are there to enjoy it….. but then Pat said it would be a very long funeral” ….. to me it really is a bit like “this is your life”.



There was opportunity for great networking….. Too many wonderful people to name them all …. Besides you all know who you all are…great to see you and have a chat…. The energy and inspiration goes a long way to maintaining your enthusiasm for when you get home… and need to carry on the task of change and ensuring women have choice and midwifery care…….



For me it was an inspirational day, the room was filled with liveliness….. my soul was rejoicing at the many possibilities for midwifery…..if only we had this sort of leadership everywhere in Australia….some places are truly isolated and continue to have an uphill battle…..we need to spread the talent….

Key take home messages that resonated for me ……

“Square peg in around hole” - midwives
“The less you do the more you give” – care in labour
“Every woman needs a midwife and sometimes a doctor too” - collaboration
“Community based continuity of care for all risk categories of women” – private practice
“The key is good collaboration”
“Morbidity of women during childbirth is only going to increase due to repeat caesarean sections and the obesity crisis…..” – Obstetrician
“Midwives are essential for primary care”
“Address the equalities of women and birth”
"From little things big things grow - Group practice

A truely wonderful time in Sydney..... the only downside was that I didn't stay an extra day or two do some shopping.....not that I have money for shopping...lol

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.