Archived Professional News: December 2006

Working towards national standards

A number of national projects are underway, further evidence of the ongoing trend to national consistency across professional framework and standards. The ANF is involved in four national projects that are of significance to nurses and midwives wherever they work.

The national decision-making framework (DMF) to support scope of practice decisions being developed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council has undergone significant redrafting since it was first developed earlier this year, when it was modelled predominantly on the existing Queensland Nursing Council (QNC) framework. The draft framework has been substantially altered following feedback from forums with nurses and midwives across Australia, and a more succinct document and diagrams have been developed. Feedback from final submissions will be incorporated during December and the project will be completed in early 2007.

The review of the code of ethics and code of conduct for nurses and the development of a code of ethics and code of conduct for midwives is continuing with draft codes for both groups available for consultation in December. The feedback from the forums raised a number of issues with regard to the need for the codes to acknowledge contemporary challenges for nurses and midwives such as horizontal violence and bullying; the need to make the language more accessible; and the need to acknowledge that safe practice also requires self care.

The feedback about the drafts so far from the expert panel has been very positive. Draft codes will be circulated to ANF branches in late November for feedback, so all nurses and midwives are encouraged to review the codes and provide feedback by 20 December.

The ANF is also involved in two projects currently being conducted by the Australian College of Midwives (ACM). The aim of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework is to “enhance the provision of safe, high quality midwifery care by providing midwives with a framework to assist them maintain and update their midwifery knowledge and practice”. Where possible the ANF is endeavouring to facilitate the involvement of ANF midwife members in the consultation process.

This project will also link with the Midwifery Practice Review (MPR) project currently underway. The MPR (also being conducted by the Australian College of Midwives) is one element of CPD. Pilot testing of the process is currently being undertaken and further work on draft documents is ongoing. Once the process is tested and refined, it will be made available to all midwives in Australia.

Fiona Armstrong
ANF Professional Officer