Archived Professional News: February 2005

Workforce projects continue in 2005

A number of important workforce projects are continuing in 2005, including the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council's (ANMC) project to develop national competency standards for midwives; the Australian Health Workforce Advisory Committee perioperative workforce project; and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council's enrolled nursing project.

A project team, including the University of Technology Sydney, Edith Cowan University, WA; and the University of South Australia, has been contracted to work on the ANMC midwives project.

Forums and workshops have been held and midwives have been interviewed. An online survey of women has also been conducted.

In February 2005, midwives using different models of care in a range of settings will be observed.

Links and further information including regular updates can be found on the ANMC website at www.anmc.org.au.

The perioperative workforce project aims to provide advice on the optimal supply and appropriate distribution of the perioperative workforce, including projections for future requirements and supply.

Submissions to the project received to date have raised a number of interesting issues, including the role of nurse practitioners and surgical assistants; ways to encourage new graduates into perioperative nursing; increased casualisation of the workforce; accessibility of postgraduate courses; the growth in demand for assistance in some specialist areas such as eye surgery; opportunities for an increased scope of practice for registered and enrolled nurses (RN Div 2 in Victoria); the growth in private and day-only hospitals; and the special issues in rural health facilities, eg. multi-skilled nurses and the increase in fly-in services.

Information provided in submissions will be incorporated into a discussion paper, and readers wishing to make a submission should contact Elizabeth O'Brien Ph: (02) 9391 9933, Email: eobri@doh.health.nsw.gov.au.

A survey of the perioperative workforce is also being prepared and will be distributed to each state and territory health department and every operating theatre manager in Australia late February 2005.

The aim is to collect current information on the workforce composition, distribution and adequacy, and public and private units, day surgery units and hospitals will be involved.

More information on the national workforce planning activities, including a review of surgical and anaesthetic workforces, can be found at: www.healthworkforce.health.nsw.gov.au.

A draft paper for the ANMC enrolled nursing project will be distributed in March 2005 and a round of public consultation will follow. Nurses will have many opportunities for input and can follow the project at www.cshisc.com.au.

Victoria Gilmore
ANF Federal Professional Officer