5 May 2004

The International Day of the Midwife 2004
Midwives - a voice for health families

On the International Day of the Midwife, the Australian Nursing Federation is calling on the Australian Government to introduce new initiatives to address the growing shortage of midwives.

In 2002, a government report estimated a national shortage of more than 1,800 midwives(1). With the average age of a midwife being 41 years, many of these nurses will be retiring over the next 10-15 years adding to the shortage.

'It is a matter of urgency that the Australian Government tackle the growing shortages in the midwifery workforce. To have healthy families our children need the best start in life - and this can best be provided if we have a sufficient and well-educated midwifery workforce,' ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said.

'The ANF would like to see the Australian Government commit to an additional 500 new HECS places in postgraduate midwifery courses for the next three years commencing in 2005 or make more scholarships available to allow nurses to obtain midwifery qualifications.

'The medical indemnity crisis in Australia has also affected the capacity of midwives to provide birthing services to women in the community.

'Insurance cover for midwives was a notable exclusion from the Australian Government's Medical Indemnity package released in October 2002, despite repeated calls from nursing, midwifery and community groups for its inclusion.

'Doctors and obstetricians are only part of the equation when it comes to providing the best health care solutions for mothers and babies.'

The ANF said it would welcome discussions with the Australian Government as to how they can assist Australia's midwives in private practice to continue providing birthing services for women.

The International Midwives Day theme for 2004 is: Midwives - a voice for healthy families. The International Confederation of Midwives established the idea of an 'International Day' following discussion among member associations in the late 1980s and launched the initiative formally in 1992.

Reference
(1) Australian Health Workforce Advisory Committee 2002 The Midwifery Workforce in Australia 2002-2012 p.2


MEDIA CONTACTS

Jill Iliffe, Federal Secretary  0419 576 590
Ged Cowin, Assistant Secretary  0417 053 322
Heather Witham, Federal Communications Officer  0417 359 907

The ANF, representing 130,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses in Australia.