of the midwifery council of new zealand

1Annual Report of the Midwifery Council of New Zealand for the year ended 31 March 2014

ANNUAL REPORTOF THE MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND

TO THE MINISTER OF HEALTHFOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2014

Annual Report of the Midwifery Council of New Zealand for the year ended 31 March 2014

Detail of painting of Dame Whina Cooper by artist the late Suzy PenningtonDame Whina, awarded the title of Te Whaea o te Motu (Mother of the Nation) by the Maori Women’s Welfare League, holds a special place in New Zealand history as a founder of the League and because of her long life devoted to the service of her people and to the wellbeing of women and children. She particularly stressed the value of primary health and the importance of good midwifery services being available to Maori women and their whanau. The whakatau (Maori proverb) on the painting is the chant “ruia, ruia” from the Muriwhenua iwi of the Far North and symbolises inspiration, challenge and hope. The painting has hung in the Council’s office since its opening in February 2007.

Cover photo: Katya Gus


CONTENTS

03INTrOduCTION

04GOvErNaNCE

10SECrETarIaT

20COmpETENCE, FITNESS TO praCTISE aNd

QualITy

24COmplaINTS aNd dISCIplINE

25appEalS aNd JudICIal rEvIEwS

26lINkING wITh STakEhOldErS

27hEalTh rEGulaTOry auThOrITIES NEw

ZEalaNd COllabOraTIONS

28FINaNCE

37CONTaCT dETaIlS


Facts at a glance

• 3068practisingmidwives(3072in2013)

• Registered147NewZealand-educatedmidwives(133in2013)

• Registered42internationallyqualifiedmidwives(34in2013)

• All147midwiferygraduateswhosattheNationalMidwiferyExaminationpassed

• 10midwivescompletedaReturntoPracticeprogramme

• CompletedthreeyearlyreviewoftheRecertificationProgramme

• Received39notificationsinvolvingmidwives’competenceorconduct

• Conducted10competencereviews

• Required21midwivestoundertakecompetenceprogrammes

• Referred4midwivestoaProfessionalConductCommittee

• Received11notificationsinvolvingmidwives’health

• Published9eMidpoints

• SignedMOUwithNursingandMidwiferyBoardofAustralia

2

5Annual Report of the Midwifery Council of New Zealand for the year ended 31 March 2014 3

INTrOduCTION

The Council’s mission:

• ToprotectthehealthandsafetyofwomenandbabiesexperiencingmidwiferycareinNewZealand

• Toestablish,protectandstrengthenaregulatoryframeworkthatembodiesthephilosophyandstandardsofthemidwiferyprofession

• TosetandmaintainhighstandardsofmidwiferypracticeinNewZealand

Council values:

1. Thepartnershipbetweenwomen/wāhineandmidwives/wāhinewhakawhānau

2. PartnershipwithTangataWhenua3. Respectfordiversity4. Integrityandfairness5. Transparent,credibleandaccountable

decisionmaking6. Collegialityandcollaboration7. Reflectionandongoinglearning8. Social,economicandecologicalsustainability

Functions:

ThefunctionsoftheCouncilaredefinedbythe

HealthPractitionersCompetenceAssuranceAct

2003(“theAct”).TheCouncilmust:• DefinetheMidwiferyScope(s)ofPractice

andprescribethequalificationsrequiredofregisteredmidwives

• Accreditandmonitormidwiferyeducationalinstitutionsandprogrammes

• MaintainapublicRegisterofmidwiveswhohavetherequiredqualificationsandarecompetentandfittopractise

• Issuepractisingcertificatestomidwiveswhomaintaintheircompetence

• Establishprogrammestoassessandpromotemidwives’ongoingcompetence

• Dealwithcomplaintsandconcernsaboutmidwives’conduct,competenceandhealth

• Setthemidwiferyprofession’sstandardsforclinicalandculturalcompetenceandethicalconduct

• Promoteeducationandtraininginmidwifery• PromotepublicawarenessoftheCouncil’s

responsibilities


1 GOvErNaNCE

Chairperson’s Foreword

Tēnā Koutou Katoa. Kia Kotahi Kī. He i oku nei korero anei he whakataukiNo tou rourou, no toku rourou, kia ora te iwi

What you have in your basket and what I have in mine, the combination will enhance all people’s wellbeing

Theyear1April2013to31March2014hasbeenabusyyearfortheCouncilwithanumberofimportanteventshavingtakenplaceduringthisyear.TheCouncilcontinuestodealprimarilywithissuesregardingpre-registrationmidwiferyeducation,recertification,registration,competenceandfitnesstopractise.

SomehighlightsforCouncilinthepastyearhavebeen:• thereviewofallthepre-registrationmidwiferyprogrammes.Thecalibre

andsuccessofthenewgraduatesfromWintecandAUTreflectthefindingsofthepreviousyearwhentheCouncilreviewedtheOtagoandChristchurchPolytechnicProgrammes.TheresultsofthecompletedreviewshowthatboththeCouncilandthepublichaveeveryreasontohaveconfidenceinthequalityandskillsofnewgradautemidwivesacrossNewZealand.Thereviewofthepre-registrationstandardsforeducationhasalsocommencedthisyear.Itishearteningtoseethatthesestandardshave,inthemain,stoodthetestoftimesince2007.MidwiferyeducationinNewZealandcontinuestobenchmarkfavourablyagainstinternationalstandardsandrequirements.

• thenewthreeyearcycleofrecertification.TheCouncilconsultedontherecertificationrequirementsandchangeshavebeenmadetothestructureofthecompulsoryrecetificationdaystoensurethatthatmidwivescontinuetorespondtothechangingcontextandcomplexityofpractice.

• thecontinuedengagementwiththeotherRegulatoryAuthorities,especiallyinrelationtoregulatoryprocessesandpractice.WhiletheSharedSecretariatproposalwasnotfurtheredbythe16RegulatoryAuthorities(RA),therehavebeenanumberofrelatedbenefitswhichhavecometofruitioninthelastyear.TheCouncilisworkingtowardsco-locationwithseveralotherRAsandthischangehasthepotentialforfurtherefficienciesandeffectiveness.TheCouncilhasalsoworkedwiththeotherRAstobringaboutTheHealthRegulatoryAuthoritiesofNewZealand(HRANZ)inauguralconferenceon28May2014www.hranz.health.nz/workshops/

Counciliscommittedtoworkingwithallinterestedpartiestoensuretheyareinformedbythebestregulatoryevidenceandstatisticalinformationaboutmidwiferyservices.

4


TheCouncilalsocontinuestovalueitsgrowinginternationalrelationshipsand,inparticular,itsrelationshipwiththeNursingandMidwiferyBoardofAustraliaandtheAustralianNursingandMidwiferyAccreditationCouncil.TheserelationshipsplayanimportantroleinensuringthattheregulationofmidwivesinNewZealandisbasedonthebestregulatorypracticeavailable.

Alongsidetheseongoingrelationships,theCEOandMidwiferyAdvisorhaveattendedanumberofregulatoryconferenceswhichhaveprovidedtheCouncilwithmuchfoodforthoughtintermsof‘righttouch’regulation.TheCouncilnowintendstoundertakeareviewofitsowngovernanceandoperationalprocessestoensurethattheyarebasedonthebestevidenceavailable.

TheCouncilengagesthroughouttheyearwithanumberofstakeholdersandgroups.OneofthehighlightsofthisengagementistheMidwiferyForum.In2013/2014oneforumwasheldinWellingtonandtheCouncilwillholdtwointhe2014/15year.TheseforumsareseenasanimportanttimeinwhichtheCouncilpresentsitswork,concerns,issuesandplanstomidwives,womenandstakeholdersandengagesindiscussionaboutthesematters.TheCouncilalsomeetsregularlywiththeNewZealandCollegeofMidwives,theMinistryofHealthandHealthWorkforceNewZealand.Inaddition,theCouncilthisyearmetwiththeDHBMidwiferyLeaderstodiscussregulatorymatters.TheCouncilgreatlyvaluestheserelationships.Wethankthesegroupsforthecollegialandprofessionalmannerinwhichtheyenteredintodiscussionsandprojectsthatweresometimeschallenging.

TheprimaryworkoftheCouncilistoprovidemechanismstoensurethatmidwivesarecompetentinthecaretheygivetowomenandtheirbabies.TheCounciliscommittedtoensuringthatitsprocessesaretransparent,fairandrobustwhilerespectingtheconstraintsoftheHPCAact.Itcannotbeimproperlyinfluencedbytheparticulardiscoursesaboutmidwiferywhicharegivenavoicewithnoevidenceorauthoritybehindthem.ThesevoiceshavenotonlythepotentialtounderminetheprocessesoftheHPCAActandtheprinciplesofnaturaljusticebutdolittletoprotectorreassurethepublic.TheCounciliscommittedtoworkingwithallinterestedpartiestoensurethattheyareinformedbythebestregulatoryevidenceandstatisticalinformationaboutmidwiferyservices.

The Council and the Secretariat

IwouldliketoexpressmywarmthankstoSharronColeasCEOforallherhardworkandsupportoverthelastyear.IwouldalsoliketothankSusanCalvertinherroleasMidwiferyAdvisorandtheinvaluablewayshesupportstheCouncilinitswork.Inaddition,mythanksgotoNickBennie,MarilynPierson,AndyCrosby,JudithNormanandChristineWhaanga.TogetherthisteamrunsaveryeffectiveandefficientsecretariatwhichgivesgreatservicetoCouncil,thepublic,andmidwivesofNewZealand.

Iextendmysincerethankstoallthecompetencereviewers,thesupervisors,andthemidwivesandlaypeoplewhomakeuptheProfessionalConductCommittee,aswellasthosemanymidwiveswhoprovidesupportandadvicetotheCouncil.Yourexpertiseandprofessionalismismuchappreciated.

Finally,IoffermyheartfeltthankstotheCouncilmembersfortheirhardworkandtheircontinuedcommitmenttoensurethattheprocessesofCouncilservethepublicofNewZealandwithintegrity,competence,andefficiency.

Noreirateneitemihikiakoutoukatoa.Kiakahakiamaiakiamanawanui.

NaJudith

JudithMcAra-CouperChairperson


members of the midwifery Council at 31 march 2014

Chairperson: Dr Judith McAra CouperPhD,BA,RM,RGONJudithhasworkedasamidwifebothinNewZealandandoverseas.JudithisHeadofMidwiferyatAucklandUniversityofTechnology.Sheteachesinthemidwiferyprogrammeanduntilrecently,heldajointappointmentatCountiesManukauasaclinicalmidwiferyeducatorinthebirthingunit.In2009,Judithwasawardedapostdoctoralscholarshipwhichshetookupin2010,focusingonmidwiferyandwomen’shealthresearch.Judithhasalsobeeninvolvedsince2009withtheWorldHealthOrganisationinBangladesh.SheisapastchairpersonoftheAucklandregionoftheNewZealandCollegeofMidwives.JudithwasappointedinFebruary2010,hercurrenttermexpiringinAugust2014.

Deputy Chairperson: Andrea Vincent RGON,RMAndreahasworkedasamidwifeinavarietyofsettingsinNewZealandandoverseas.Shehasworkedasaself-employedcase-loadingmidwifeinNelsonsince1993,coveringruralandurbanareas,homeandhospitalbirths.SheisapastchairpersonoftheNelson-MarlboroughregionoftheNewZealandCollegeofMidwives.Andrealivesinsemi-ruralNelson,withherhusbandandtwoteenagechildren.ShewasappointedinFebruary2010andhasbeenreappointedforasecondtermwhichwillendinJanuary2016.

Annette BlackMA,DidEdStud,DipTchg,MBAAnnettewasappointedalaymemberinOctober2009andhasbeenreappointedforasecondterm,expiringSeptember2015.ShebeganhercareerasahistoryteacherinsecondaryschoolsbeforejoiningtheNewZealandLawSocietyasitsDirectorofEducationin1983.In1987,shewasappointedDeputyExecutiveDirectorandheldbothpositionsconcurrentlyuntilherretirementin2005.Sincethen,shehascontinuedtoworkwiththeSocietyasaconsultant.SheassistedwiththeimplementationoftheLawyersandConveyancersActandisworkingonacompetencyassuranceschemeforlawyers.SheisaDirectorofNewZealandContinuingLegalEducationLtd.

Debbie FisherPGDipHealthCare,RM,BN,RCNDebbiewasappointedtotheMidwiferyCouncilinSeptember2011foraoneyearinitialtermandhasnowbeenreappointeduntilSeptember2015.SheistheMidwiferyAdvisorattheNelsonMarlboroughDHB.Shealsoworksclinicallyonacasualbasiswithinavarietyofsettings.DebbieisamemberoftheNationalDHBMidwiferyLeadersGroupandenjoyssupportingandfacilitatingeffectivemidwiferyleadershipatanationallevel.SheisalsoaLactationConsultant.DebbiehaslivedandworkedinNewZealand,AustraliaandtheUnitedKingdominalltypesofmaternitycaresettings.SheisapastNZCOMregionalchairperson.DebbieiscurrentlycompletingaMastersinHealthCareatVictoriaUniversityandhascompletedaTeReolevelonecertificationandpostgraduatestudyinadultteachingandlearningandclinicalmidwiferypractice.

6


Bronwen GolderBronwenwasappointedasalaymemberforathreeyearterminAugust2011.BronwenhasworkedasapoliticalriskanalystandDevelopmentDirectoroverseas.OnreturningtoNewZealand,BronwenjoinedtheCommunityEmploymentGroupoftheDepartmentofLabourandwassecondedasadvisortotheMinisterofEmployment.Since1993,BronwenhasworkedinGeneva,Brussels,WellingtonandSantiago.SheiscurrentlyleadingaNewZealandconservationinitiativeandprovidingstrategicsupporttoconservationprojectsinAustralia,theSouthPacific,SoutheastAsiaandChile.Bronwenbringsextensiveexperienceinpublicprivatesectorpartnerships,riskanalysis,strategicandprojectplanningandfacilitation,communications,andmonitoringandevaluation.

Korina VaughnRN,RMNgatiHako,NgatiMaruKorinaismarriedwith4childrenwhoareofSamoanandMaoridescent.KorinacompletedherRegisteredComprehensiveNursetrainingthenworkedasaPracticeNurseatWaahiMaraeinHuntlyfortwoyears.In1994shebeganhermidwiferytrainingandin1995registeredasaMidwife.KorinahasworkedinavarietyofclinicalmidwiferysettingsbutpredominantlyasaselfemployedmidwifeinHuntlyandthesurroundingdistricts.KorinaiscurrentlyemployedastheClinicalManagerofBirthcareHuntlyandshecontinuestocarryasmallcaseloadtomaintainmidwiferycompetencies.HertermbeganendinSeptember2009andshehasbeenreappointedforasecondtermwhichendsinSeptember2015.KorinahasbeenonleavefromtheCouncilsinceMay2013.

Dr Lee Mathias DHSc, MBA,BA,RGON LeeisanexperienceddirectorandmanagerinhealthservicesincludingtimeasthePrincipalNurseatMiddlemoreHospitalandGMStrategicPlanningforAucklandHealthcare.LeewasthefoundingdirectorofBirthcare,NZ’slargestproviderofprimarymaternityservicestothepublicsector.LeehasaBA(Soc.Sci.)fromMasseyUniversityandanMBAfromUniversityofAuckland.Herdoctoralsubjectwasdecision-makingingovernanceinNZpublichealthcareservices.Leehasdirectorshipsindiagnostic,maternityanddisabilityenterprisesandisanaccreditedFellowoftheIODNZ.LeewasappointedinSeptember2009andwasreappointedforasecondterm.SheresignedfromtheCouncilinNovember2013,followingherappointmentasChairpersonoftheCountiesManukauDHB.

Marion Hunter MA (Hons 1st Class), BA, ADN, RM, RGONMarionwasappointedtotheCouncilinAugust2010,beingreappointedforasecondthreeyearterminSeptember2013.SheisaSeniorMidwiferyLectureratAucklandUniversityofTechnologyandforsixyearshasmaintainedasmallLMCcaseloadinarural/remoteruralarea.HerexperienceincludestertiaryandruralhospitalmidwiferyincludingaclinicalmidwifespecialistpositionatCountiesManukauDHB.MarioniscurrentlyaDirectorofthePHARMACSeminarSeriesandhasservedonMinistryofHealthcommitteesinrelationtoprescribing.SheisaNZCOMexpertadvisorandhasundertakenreviewsinrelationtomaternityservicesandmidwiferypractice.Marion’sMAthesiswasaboutintrapartummidwiferycareandplaceofbirth.Shehaspublishedonthistopicalongsidetwoco-authoredchaptersinMidwifery:preparationforpractice.


Strategic Goals

Thefivestrategicprinciplesandtheirgoalsare:

1. A capable midwifery workforce

Goals:

a) Ensuremidwivesarefittopractise(effectivecommunicators,honest,actwithintegrity,healthy,ethical)

b) Increaseprofessionalismamongstmidwivesandensurethatmidwivescontinuetodemon-stratecompetenceandaccountability

2. Appropriate midwifery education

Goals:

a) Approve,implement,monitorandauditpre-registrationmidwiferyeducation

b) Promote,approveandmonitorpost-registra-tionmidwiferyeducation

3. Sustainable midwifery workforce

Goals:

a) Workwithotherstakeholderstoensurethereisasufficientandappropriatelyeducatedmid-wiferyworkforcetomeetmaternityservicedemands

b) Workwithotherstakeholderstoensurethatthematernityserviceenvironmentattractsandretainsmidwives

Sustainable Midwifery Council and Secretariat

Goals:

a) Reduceourcarbonfootprint

b) Providecosteffective,efficientandsustainableregulatoryfunctions

Accountability to public and stakeholders

Goals:

a) Developpolicyandprocessesinatranspar-entandconsultativemanner

b) Sharerelevantinformationwithstakehold-ers

Fees for Council members and appointees

ThefeespaidtoCouncilmembershaveremainedunchangedsincetheyweresetin2004.Currentfeesare:• Agreedspecifictasksandteleconference

meetings$80perhour• Meetings-Chair$650perday• Meetings-Members$450perday• Meetingpreparationtime–4hoursat$50

perhour

Remuneration* received by each member for attendance at Council meetings and Annual Fora

*grossincome–includesresidentwithholdingtax**OnleavesinceMay2013***ResignedNovember2013

JMcAra-Couper(Chairperson)

ABlack

DFisher

BGolder

MHunter

LMathias**

KVaughn***

AVincent

<$4000 $10,001to$18,000

$4,001to$10,000

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

8


Council meetings

Duringthe2013/14financialyear,theCouncilcontinueditspatternadoptedthepreviousyearofholdingalternatetwodaymeetingsinWellingtonandhalfdayaudioconferencesbySkype.TheCouncilhadsixtwodaymeetingsinWellingtonandhadfivehalfdaySkypemeetings.Generallycommitteeworkwasalsodealtwithduringthosetimes.

Committee structure

At31March2014,theCommitteesandtheirmembersare:

Registration CommitteeBronwenGolder,DebbieFisher,MarionHunterandAndreaVincent

Education and Audit CommitteeAnnetteBlack,DebbieFisherandJudithMcAra-Couper

Examination CommitteeMarionHunter,JudithMcAra-Couper,AndreaVincent,AnnetteBlack(JudithMcAra-CouperandMarionHunterarepost-examinationonly).

Health CommitteeBronwenGolder,MarionHunterandAndreaVincentThiscommitteehasfullydelegateddecisionmakingpower.

Finance CommitteeAnnetteBlack,BronwenGolder,DebbieFisher,JudithMcAra-Couper(withtheChiefExecutive)

Sorting CommitteeThe“SortingCommittee”wasestablishedtobettermanagetheworkloadofaddressingmattersrelatingtomidwives’competenceandconduct.ThisCommitteeanalysesallnewcases,includingtheinitialresponsefromthemidwife,thentablesthematterbeforeafullCouncilmeeting.Membersat31March2014wereDebbieFisher,MarionHunter,JudithMcAra-CouperandAndreaVincent.

Council EducationInJune2013,anumberofCouncilmembersattendedtheannualPerinatalandMaternityMortalityReviewCommitteeworkshop.


2 SECrETarIaT

Chief Executive’s review 13/14

Registration and midwifery education

Intheareaofregistrationandtheissueofannualpractisingcertificates,workhascontinuedtorefinetheITsystemasnecessarytoensureonlineapplicationsareeasyand‘glitchfree’.

Amajorfocusforthesecretariatduring2013/14hasbeentheprocessesaroundthethreeyearlyreviewoftheRecertificationProgramme.TheCouncilheededtherecommendationofthePerinatalandMaternalMortalityReviewCommitteeandhasaddedanannualupdateinchildbirthemergenciestoitsalreadyexistingrequirementforannualupdatesinmaternalandneonatalresuscitation.

Followingthe2012reviewofthemidwiferydegreeprogrammesattwooftheschoolsofmidwifery,theremainingtwowerereviewedduring2013/14.Itispleasingtoseesuchpositiveoutcomesresultingfromthepre-registrationeducationstandardswhichcameintoeffectatthebeginningof2009.AreviewofthestandardswasstartedinNovember2013andwillcontinueduring2014,withtheaimofhavingtherevisedstandardsapprovedearlyin2015,tobeimplementedinthe2016academicyear.

Competence

TheCouncilrecognisesthatmostmidwivesareconscientiousandengagedintheirprofession.Consistentwith‘righttouchregulation’,ithasincreasinglyfocusedonthosemidwiveswhohavebeenpersistentlynon-compliantwiththeRecertificationProgrammeasresearchshowsthatthesemidwivesaremuchmorelikelytobethesubjectofcomplaintsandtopresentarisktothepublic.

Sustainable Secretariat

Inpursuitofitsprimaryfunctiontoprovidecosteffective,efficientandsustainableregulation,thesecretariathascontinuedtoworkwithanumberofotherRAstodevelopamodelforasharedsecretariat.TheCouncilhasagreedtoco-locatewithfourotherRAslaterin2014asweseektocollaborateandsharesomeserviceswhichwillresultinbetterregulationandincostsavings.

MythankstoallCouncilandstaffmemberswhoaremindfulofandcommittedtoprotectingthehealthandsafetyoftheNewZealandpublicbyhavinginplacesprocessestoensurethatmidwivesarecompetenttopractisetheirprofession.

10


Stakeholder engagement

TheCouncilisactivelyinvolvedinHealthRegulatoryAuthoritiesNewZealand(HRANZ)atbothoperationalandgovernancelevel.IthasalsocontinuedtoexpanditscollegialworkingrelationshipwithitsAustraliancounterparts,thisyearsigningaMemorandumofUnderstandingwiththeNursingandMidwiferyBoardofAustralia,followinglastyear’sMOUwiththeAustralianNursingandMidwiferyAccreditationCouncil.Itpublishesamonthlyelectronicnewsletterwhichissenttoallmidwiveswithapractisingcertificateandmanyotherstakeholders.

Council/staff

Thesmallstaffof6.5FTEremainsunchangedalthoughtherehasbeensomereallocationofworkresponsibilitiesduringtheyear.NonewCouncilmemberswereappointedduring2013/14butKorinaVaughnhasbeenonleavesinceMayandLeeMathiasresignedinNovember.

MythankstoallCouncilandstaffmemberswhoaremindfulofandcommittedtotheprimarypurposeofourempoweringactwhichistoprotectthehealthandsafetyoftheNewZealandpublicbyhavinginplaceprocessestoensurethatmidwivesarecompetenttopractisetheirprofession.

SharronColeChiefExecutiveandRegistrar

Photo: Sarah Hewton-Malins


Table 1 Summary of expenditure – 2013 to 2014

Registration of, and Practising Certificates for, Midwives

a. Scopes of practice

The Council has the responsibility to:• specifythemidwiferyscopeofpractice

Ankylogossia and frenotomy

TheCouncilconvenedamultidisciplinaryworkingpartytoconsidertheissueoffrenotomywithinthemidwiferyscopeofpracticeandthemidwife’sroleintheassessment,diagnosisandtreatmentofankyloglossia(tonguetie).Theworkingparty’sobjectivesweretodevelop:• Ascopeofpracticestatementformidwives

regardingtheirroleintheassessment,diagnosisandtreatmentofankyloglossia

• AgenericcourseoutlinethatdescribestheminimumrequirementsforacourseonthisprocedurethatmeetsthestandardsrequiredbytheCouncil

• Theminimumdatasetrequiredforauditofpractice

TheCouncilplanstosendoutadraftstatementforconsultationinmid2014.

Misuse of Drugs Act and Regulations

Since2012,theCouncilhasworkedwiththeMinistryofHealthandtheCollegeofMidwivesaroundanamendmenttotheMisuseofDrugsActthatwillallowmidwivestoprescribecontrolleddrugsinadditiontopethidine.TheamendmenttotheActandregulationswillcomeintoeffectinmid2014andaprogrammeofeducationwillbeinplacetosupportmidwiveswiththischangeinpractice.

b. Accreditation

The Council has the responsibility to:• accreditandmonitortheinstitutionsoffering

thepre-registrationMidwiferyprogramme• setstandardsfortheMidwiferypre-

registrationprogramme

Pre-registration education

TheBachelorofMidwiferyprogrammesaredeliveredatfourschoolsofmidwifery-AucklandUniversityofTechnology(AUT),WaikatoInstituteofTechnology(WINTEC),ChristchurchPolytechnicInstituteofTechnology(CPIT)andOtago

12


School Numbers Numbers % passed sitting passed

AUT 54 54 100

WINTEC 31 31 100

CPIT 22 22 100

Otago 40 40 100

Polytechnic.Theschoolsdeliverthefouryear(480credit)programmeoverthreeextendedacademicyearsinordertomaximiseopportunitiesformidwiferypracticeexperiencesandconsolidation.

InNovember2013,theCouncilinvitedrepresentationontheworkingpartytoreviewthe2007Standardsforapprovalofpre-registrationmidwiferyeducationprogrammesandaccreditationoftertiaryeducationorganisations.Itwillsendoutthedraftrevisedstandardsforconsultationduring2014andpublishtherevisedstandardsinearly2015.

Monitoring of Schools of Midwifery

TheCouncilhasreviewedtheapprovedprogrammesofeducationinthetwoyearsafterthefirstgraduatesfromthecoursesagainstthe2007StandardswereenteredontotheRegisterofMidwives.In2012itreviewedCPITandOtagoPolytechnicandin2013/14,itreviewedWintecandAUT.

TheCouncilhasbeenreassuredthatstudentsfromtheseprogrammesaremeetingtherequirementsforEntrytotheRegisterofMidwives.Further,therewaswidespreadfeedbackthattheprogrammesofeducationwhichhavebeendesignedtoensurethatthegraduatesareconfidentandcompetenttopractisemidwiferyintheNewZealandmaternityenvironment,arefulfillingthatexpectation.Italsoconfirmedpreviousanecdotalreportingthatthereis:

• Increasedproficiencywithpracticalskills• Earlierintegrationoftheoryandpractice• Increasedconfidenceinfinalyearstudents• Perceptionofearlier‘readiness’forpractice

National Midwifery Examination

ApassintheNationalMidwiferyExaminationisoneoftherequirementsforEntrytotheRegisterofMidwives.InMarch2013,all57candidatesattainedapass;inJuly13,allfivecandidatesattainedapassandinDecember2013,all85studentsattainedapass.Thesuccessratesforeachschoolofmidwiferyfor2013areshowninTable2.

Table 2National Midwifery Examination passes 2013

c. Registration

The Council has the responsibility to:

• setstandardsofcompetencerequiredforentrytotheRegisterofMidwives

• assessapplicationsandauthoriseregistration• setandmonitorindividualcompetence

programmesfornewlyregisteredinternationallyqualifiedmidwives

Midwivesapplytoregisterandmakepaymentonline.Allapplicationsareassessedtoensurethatapplicantssatisfytherequirementsforregistrationassetoutins16oftheHealthPractitionersCompetenceAssuranceAct2003.


Table 3Applications for registration decided in the 2013 – 2014 year

*Insixcases,theapplicanteitherwithdrewordidnotcompletetheapplication

Table 4Number of Midwives registered between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014 with comparisons with previous years

*TransTasmanMutualRecognitionAct1997

HPCAA Number Outcomes Section Registered Registered Not with registered conditions

Total 15 147 42 16*

Reasons for non-registration*

Qualificationsdidnotmeetrequiredstandard 15b - - 5

Didnotmeetthecompetenciesforpractice 15c - - 4

CommunicationincludingEnglishlanguagerequirements 16a,b - - 1

Convictionbyanycourtfor3monthsorlonger 16c - - -

Mentalorphysicalcondition 16d - - -

ProfessionaldisciplinaryprocedureinNZoroverseas 16e,f,g - - -

Other–dangertohealthandsafety 16h - - -

Type/Year 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

NewZealandgraduates 108 109 107 126 129 149 133 147

AustralianTTMRA* 7 17 11 13 7 12 8 13

Internationallyqualified 69 71 60 63 37 46 26 29

Total 184 197 178 202 173 207 167 189

14


Table 5Percentage of registrations between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014 with comparisons with previous years: New Zealand graduates compared to all internationally qualified midwives

Midwifery First Year of Practice Programme

TheMidwiferyFirstyearofPracticeprogramme(MFYP)wasimplementedin2007andalmostallnewgraduatemidwivesapplyfor,andareacceptedinto,theprogramme.TheMFYPisfundedbyHealthWorkforceNewZealandandprovidedbytheNewZealandCollegeofMidwives.

TheCouncilismindfulofitsroletoprotectthesafetyofthepublicbyensuringmidwivesarecompetenttopractiseandthatthepublicmusthaveconfidencethatthepracticeofnewgraduatesdoesnotputthematgreaterrisk.Itsanalysisofthecomplaintsithasreceivedaboutthepracticeofnewgraduatemidwivesshowstherehavebeenninebetween2004and2014.Ofthese,fourhavebeenfoundtohavecompetenceissues.Duringthistime,1224newgraduateshavebeenenteredontotheRegisterofMidwives.

TheCouncilsupportsinitiativeswhichwillfurther

enhancethesupportandguidancetonewgraduatemidwivesandcontinuestoadvocateforchangestotheprogrammewhichwould:• MakeMFYPcompulsory• Provideamechanismforimprovedregulatory

oversightbytheMidwiferyCouncilthroughestablishmentofreportinglinesbytheprovideroftheprogrammetotheCouncil

• Increasefundingtoenableclinicalattendancebyanexperiencedmidwifetosupportthenewgraduateinclinicalpracticewhenrequired

TheCouncilisalsoapartytoaresearchprojectwhichisaretrospectiveexplorationoftheprogrammewiththeaimofexploringwhetherMFYPhassupportedthetransitiontopracticeandtheretentionofnewgraduateswithintheprofession.Thefinalreportisexpectedin2014.

ThefollowingprovidesanexplanationofthecomponentsoftheMFYPprogramme:


Competence Programmes for internationally qualified midwives

AllinternationallyqualifiedmidwivesarerequiredtoundertakethiscompetenceprogrammewhichaddressesaspectsofmidwiferypracticewhichareuniquetoNewZealand.Theprogrammecomprisesthefollowingcomponents:• NZMidwiferyandMaternitySystems• PharmacologyandPrescribing• AssessmentoftheNewborn(theoryand

practice)• TreatyofWaitangi• CulturalCompetence

Internationallyqualifiedmidwivesarerequiredtosubmitaplanwithinthreemonthsofregistration,detailinghowtheywillcompletetherequirementsoftheprogrammewithinatwoyearperiod.Allcourses,exceptfortheTreatyofWaitangiworkshop,havebeenmadeavailableonlinetofacilitateaccessandtimelycompletion.

SinceFebruary2013,theCouncilhasplacedadditionalrequirementsaroundinternationallyqualifiednewgraduatemidwives.Theseincludetherequirementsto:

1. Developaprofessionaldevelopmentplanandoutlinehowtheywillmeet

therequirementsoftheRecertificationProgrammeandtheOverseasCompetenceProgramme

2. Practiseinahospitalfacility3. Practiseundersupervision.TheCouncil

receivesreportsfromthesupervisorsonaregularbasis.ThepurposeofthereportistoadvisetheCouncilaboutthemidwife’sintegrationintoNewZealandpracticeandtoraiseanyconcernswhichneedtobeaddressed

d. Practising certificates


• issue annual practising certificates to those midwives who it is satisfied are competent to practise midwifery

Thenumberofmidwivesleavingtheworkforceintheyearending31March2014remainedstaticataround5%.Asthenumberofbirthshascontinuedtodecline,togetherwithanincreasednumberofnewgraduatemidwivesenteringtheworkforce,therearesufficientmidwivestoprovidecaretowomenandtheirfamilies.However,theCouncilrecognisestherecontinuestobemisdistributionissueswithsomeregionsstillfindingitdifficulttorecruitandretainmidwives.

Mentorship-minimum32hoursrequiredandupto56hoursfunded

Mentordevelopmentandsupportforreturningmentors-16hours

Mentordevelopmentandsupportfornewmentors-24hours

CompetenciesforEntrytotheRegisterofMidwives

ScopeofPractice

StandardsofMidwiferyPractice

MidwiferyStandardsReview

Mentorship-minimum32hoursrequiredandupto56hoursfunded

Educationandprofessionaldevelopment-minimumof69hoursrequiredandupto80hoursfunded

Familiarisation(partofprofessionaldevelopment)andfeedback(partofmentoring)sessions

Experientiallearning-individualworksetting

MFYPMidwiferyStandardsReviewandMFYPConfidentMidwifeProfile.

Programme Framework Programme Components - Graduate Programme Components - Mentor

16


Table 6: Applications for an annual practising certificate 2013/14

Table 7: Comparative figures of midwives holding a practising certificate at the end of the year and at the beginning of the following year

Reasons for non-issue of Practising Certificate

Total*

FailedtocomplywithaconditionNotcompletedrequiredcompetenceprogrammesatisfactorily**

Failedtodemonstraterequiredstandardofcompetence

Recencyofpractice

Notlawfullypractisingwithin3years***

Mentalorphysicalcondition

Falseormisleadingapplication

HPCAA Section

27(1)b

27(1)a

27(1)c

27(1)d

27(1)f

27(1)e

27(3)

Number Outcomes

APC no conditions

2998

-

--

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

APC with conditions

58

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Interim

570

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

No APC

2

-

3

-

-

-

-

*Somemidwivesheldmorethanonepractisingcertificateduringtheperiod-oneormoreinterimpractisingcertificatesweregranted.Atotalof3,626practisingcertificateswereissuedto3,105individualmidwivesduringtheperiod.

**Mostmidwiveswithoverduerecertificationprogrammeitems,oroverdueoverseascompetenceprogrammeitems,weregrantedashortterminterimpractisingcertificate.Oncompletionoftheprogramme,theyweregrantedanannualpractisingcertificate.

***MidwiveswhohadnotpractisedinthethreeyearspriortoapplyingforanannualpractisingcertificatearerequiredtocompleteareturntopracticeprogrammeapprovedbyCouncilandaninterimpractisingcertificateisgrantedforthisprogramme.


Fees

TheCouncilhasmaintainedthefeeforanannualpractisingcertificateat$350,plusa$50disciplinarylevy.

Return to Practice Programme


• set and monitor individual competence programmes for midwives returning to midwifery after three years or more

MidwiveswhoseektoreturntoworkasamidwifeafteranabsenceofmorethanthreeyearsmustdemonstratetheircompetencetopractisebycompletingaformalReturntoPracticeProgrammeagreedwiththeCouncil.

ThecurrentReturntoPracticeprogrammerequirementsforallmidwiveswhohavetakenabreakofmorethanthreeyearsareavailableontheCouncilwebsitewww.midwiferycouncil.health.nz/return-to-practice-programmes/

Table 8: Number of formal Return to Practice programmes finished each year between 2007/2008 and 2012/2013

18


Photo: Sarah Hewton-Malins


3 COmpETENCE, FITNESS TO praCTISE aNd QualITy aSSuraNCE


• providemechanismsforimprovingthecompetenceofmidwivesandforprotectingthepublicfromhealthpractitionerswhopractisebelowtherequiredstandardofcompetenceorwhoareunabletoperformtherequiredfunctions

a. Performance

TheCouncilencouragesthemidwiferyprofessiontoengageinaprocessofself-reflectionandprofessionaldevelopmentwhichwillimprovestandardsofmidwiferycareandcontributetoqualityimprovementinthemidwiferyworkforce.Thelevelofpublictrustandconfidenceisincreasedwhenthemidwiferyworkforcedemonstratescompetence,conscientiousnessandengagementintheprofession.

Insettingthecompetencestandardsandestablishingaprocessbywhichtodeterminetheon-goingcompetenceofmidwives,theMidwiferyCouncilrequiresallpractisingmidwivestoparticipateinitsRecertificationProgrammeinordertomeetthecompetencerequirementsnecessaryforapractisingcertificatetobeissued.

Competence reviews

Thenumberofformalcompetencereviews(10)undertakenbytheCouncilin2013/14remainedatthesamelevelasthepreviousyear,asdidthenumberofmidwivesvoluntarilyundertakingcompetenceprogrammes.ThereviewtoolscommonlyincludeObjectiveStructuredClinicalAssessments(OSCAs)inwhichthecomponentsofclinicalcompetencesuchashistorytaking,physicalexamination,procedures,documentation,communication,multidisciplinaryworkingattitude,referencetostandards,referralguidelinesandprofessionalbehaviouraretestedagainstevidence-basedstandardsforpractice.

TheCouncilappointsreviewerswhoarerepresentativeofthepracticecontextofthemidwifeundertakingthecompetencereview.TheCouncilhasapoolofexperiencedmidwivesnominatedbytheprofessionfromwhichtodrawforcompetencereviewpanelsortoconductcasereviews.

Membersofcompetencereview/casereviewpanelsduringthe2013-2014yearwere:BerylDaviesJoyceCowanLindsayFergussonChristineGriffithsRuthMartis

Source

HealthPractitioner(UnderRA) HealthandDisabilityCommissioner

Other

Employer

Total

HPCAA Section

34(1)

34(1)

34(1)

Number

10

15

14

-

39

Table 9: Competence referrals *

*Thesecompriseallnotificationsaboutamidwife’spracticereceivedbytheCouncil,withtheexceptionofhealth.Afterreceipt,theyarereferredasrequiredtotheHealthandDisabilityCommissionerunders64oftheHPCAAandtotheSortingCommitteewhichrecommendstotheCouncilwhetherthenotificationinvolvescompetence,fitnesstopractise(health)orconduct.

JaneTownsendStephanieVagueKarenWakelinNimishaWallerSabineWeil

20


Notification of risk of harm to public

(Totalnumber)Initialinquiries

Nofurtheraction

Interimsuspension/conditions

Competenceprogramme

Ordersconcerningcompetence

Recertificationprogramme

Unsatisfactoryresultsofcompetenceorrecertificationprogramme

HPCAA Section

43

41

40

39

38

35

Number

NewExisting (at 1 April 2013)

-

-

9

20

7

-

28

NotApplicable NotApplicable

-

-

12

-

5

-

30

Closed

-

-

-

-

-

-

29

Still active

-

-

-

-

-

-

27

Outcomes

Table 10: Outcomes of competence referrals

b. Recertification/continuing competence

Recertification Programme

TheRecertificationProgrammerequiresmidwivestoundertakevariouscoursesandactivitiesoverathreeyearperiodinorderthattheycandemonstratetotheCouncilthattheyarecompetentandsafetopractise.

During2013,theCouncilreviewedtheprogrammeandfollowingconsultation,approvedsomechanges,beginning1April2014.Thesechangeswillbe:• MidwiferyRefresherDay,formerlythree

yearly,isnowanannualrequirementcalledtheCombinedEmergencySkillsDayandincludesmaternityemergenciesaswellasthematernalandneonatalresuscitationupdates

• anadditionalbreastfeedingactivityeverythreeyears

• 5pointsannuallyineachofelectiveeducationandprofessionalactivities

Recertification audit

TheCouncilmonitorsmidwives’engagementinrecertification.ThisismainlycarriedoutelectronicallyalthoughtheCouncilstillauditsportfolioswhenissuesaroundamidwife’scompetenceariseorifamidwifeappearstobeconsistentlynoncompliantwiththeprogramme.Throughitsregistrationdatabase,itlinkstheissuingofannualpractisingcertificatestodemonstratedengagementintheRecertificationProgramme.ThosemidwiveswhowereunabletosatisfytheCouncilofsubstantialengagementwererequiredtoundertakespecificactivitieswithindefinedtimeframes,withanumberbeingissuedwithinterimpractisingcertificatesuntilrequirementsweremet.ItispleasingtonotethatthenumberofIPCsissuedfornon-compliancehasfallenmarkedly.

Midwifery Standards Review

TheCouncilhascontractedtheNZCollegeofMidwivestoconductMidwiferyStandardsReviewsaspartofitsRecertificationProgrammesince2005.AllmidwivesareexpectedtoundertakeMidwiferyStandardsReviewbienniallybutthistimeframemaybelengthenedtothreeyearlyorshortened


In summary, the components of the Recertification Programme until 31/3/2014 are:

• DeclarecompetencetopractisewithintheMidwiferyScopeofPractice(annuallyonapplicationforAPC)

• PractiseacrosstheScopeoverathree-yearperiod• Maintainaprofessionalportfoliocontaininginformationandevidenceaboutpractice,educationand

professionalactivitiesovereachthree-yearperiod• Completethecompulsoryeducation*• Complete50pointsofelectiveeducationandprofessionalactivities,comprisingaminimumof15

pointsforelectiveeducation,aminimumof15pointsforprofessionalactivitiesandtheremainingpointsfromeitheroracombinationofboth

• ParticipateinNewZealandCollegeofMidwivesMidwiferyStandardsReviewProcess(MSR)atleastonceeverytwoyears**

*Compulsoryeducationincludes:• TwodayTechnicalSkillsworkshoponceevery3years• Annualneonatalresuscitationupdate• AnnualadultCPRupdateatthestandardoflevel4oftheNZResuscitationCouncilframework(and

includingresuscitationofthepregnantwoman)• Breastfeedingupdateworkshoponceevery3years

**AllmidwivesmustundertakeMSRatleastonceeverytwoyearsexceptfornewgraduatemidwivesarealsorequiredtoundertakeMSRattheendoftheirfirstyearofpractice

toafurtherreviewbeingrequiredinsixortwelvemonths,dependingontheoutcomesoftheReview.ThepurposeoftheReviewistoassistmidwiveswiththeirongoingprofessionaldevelopmentbyreflectingontheirpracticewithmidwiferyandconsumerreviewers.

ResearchcarriedoutbythePickerInstitute*hasshownthatconsumerfeedbackisanimportantpartofthehealthprofessionalcompetenceassessmentprocess.Ithasbeenshownthatconsumerscanusefullycommenton:

• Interpersonalskills• Communicationinformation• Engagementandenablement• Aspectsoftechnicalcompetence

*Chisholm,A.(2013).Serviceuserfeedback:anevidencereviewandDelphiconsultationandtheirapplicationtocontinuingfitnesstopractise,PickerInstituteEurope,Nov2011

Statement on Cultural Competence

TheStatementonCulturalCompetencewhichexplainshowculturallycompetentmidwivesmustdrawonthethreeframeworksofMidwiferyPartnership,CulturalSafetyandTurangaKaupapainbuildingandmaintainingrelationshipswiththeirclients,wasformallyadoptedbytheCouncilin2011.In2012,OtagoPolytechnicmadeavailableaculturalcompetencecourseforinternationallyqualifiedmidwivestoprovidethemwiththeknowledgeandskillsrequiredtoachievetheCompetenciesforEntrytotheRegisterofMidwivesthatrelatetoculturalcompetenceintheNewZealandcontext.CompletionofboththiscourseandaTreatyofWaitangiworkshopiscompulsoryforallinternationallyqualifiedmidwiveswithintwoyearsofcommencingpracticeinNewZealand.

22


c. Health/fitness to practise


• protect the public by ensuring midwives are fit to practise

TheCouncilreceived11newnotificationsofconcernaboutamidwife’shealthwhichhadaffectedherpractice.AllmidwiveswerereferredtotheHealthCommitteewhichhasdelegatedauthorityfromtheCounciltomakedecisionsrelatingtomidwives’health.

FivemidwivesremainedunderHealthCommitteemonitoringfollowingreferralsinthepreviousyear.

OutcomesNofurtheraction

Ordermedicalexamination

Interimsuspension*

Total

Conditions

Restrictionsimposed

HPCAA Section

49

48

48

50

Number of practicioners

1

-

-

-

-

-

Employer

Healthpractitioner

Healthservice

Anyperson

Personinvolvedwitheducation

Medicalofficerofhealth

HPCAA Section

45(3)

45(1)d

45(1)c

45(1)b

45(1)a

Number

NewExisting ( at 1 April 2014)

-

12

-

4

1

1

8

2

1

Closed

--

14

--

-

5

--

Still active

-

6

-

1

2

1

Source

Table 11: Notifications of inability to perform required functions due to mental or physical (health) condition

*Twomidwivesrelinquishedpractisingcertificatesasanalternativetosuspension

Table 12: Outcomes of health notifications

d. Quality assurance activities

WhiletheCouncilconductedanumberofqualityassuranceactivitiesduringtheyear,itdidnotmakeanyapplicationsfortheactivitiestobeprotectedunders54oftheHPCAAct.


4 COmplaINTS aNd dISCIplINE


• actoninformationreceivedaboutthecompetenceandconductofmidwives• monitormidwiveswhoaresubjecttoconditionsfollowingdisciplinaryaction

a. Complaints

Table 13: Complaints re conduct from various sources and outcomes during 2013 – 2014 year

HealthPractitioner(UnderRA)

HealthandDisabilityCommissioner

Consumers

Courtsnoticeofconviction

Employer

Other

OtherHealthPractitioner

Number

2

1

4

2

1

Outcome

Referred to Professional

Conduct Committee

No further disciplinary

action**

-

-

4

1

1

2

1

Referred to the Health and Disability

Commissioner

--

-

-1

NotApplicable

-

--

Source

2

-

2

-

-

b. PCC

TheCouncilhasapoolofexperiencedmidwivesnominatedbytheprofessionfromwhichtodrawasrequiredforProfessionalConductCommittees.Thetwochairsarelaymembersofthecommittee.

Members of Professional Conduct Committees during the 2012-2013 year were:

SandyGill(Chair)BernardKendall(Chair)KerryAdamsKayFaullsDebbieFawcettShirleyHoppingElizabethJullChristineStanbridgeJennyWoodley

24


5 appEalS aNd JudICIal rEvIEwS

25

Notificationofconviction

Concernsaboutstandardsofpractice

Fraudulentclaiming

Conduct

Practisingoutsidescope

Practisingwithoutannualpractisingcertificate

Other

Theft

HDC

NSU

1

OutcomeNumberSourceNature of issue

1

1

1

1

Counselling,furthereducation

NFA

-

-

-

-

-

ReferredtoHPDT

NFA

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Table 14: Professional Conduct Committee cases

c. Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal

TherewerethreehearingsinvolvingmidwivesbeforetheTribunalduring2013/14andinallthreecases,thechargesofprofessionalmisconductwereproven.

TheProfessionalConductCommitteecommencedaninvestigationofachargeagainstamidwifewhohadbeenconvictedoffraudulentclaiming.Thiswasstillinprocessasat31March2014.

TheTribunal,whenhearingachargeinvolvingamidwife,comprisesachairpersonwhoisalawyer,threemidwivesandalayperson.AllTribunalmembersareappointedbytheMinisterofHealth.

d. Code of Conduct

TheCouncilhasthestatutoryresponsibilitytosetstandardsofethicalconduct.TheCounciladoptedaCodeofConductin2011.Itisdueforformalreviewin2014/15.

TherewerenoappealsorjudicialreviewsofdecisionsmadebytheCouncilin2013/14.


6 lINkING wITh STakEhOldErS


• Communicatewiththemidwiferyprofession• Liaisewithhealthregulatoryauthoritiesand

otherstakeholdersovermattersofmutualinterest

• PromotepublicawarenessoftheCouncil’srole

National forum - TheCouncilholdsannualforatoprovideanopportunityfortheCounciltodiscusspoliciesandprocessesandfortheprofession,stakeholdersandconsumerstogiveinformalfeedbacktoCouncil.Thisyear,theforumwasheldinWellington.

eMidpoint - TheCouncilhascontinuedtopublishitsmonthlyelectronicnewsletter.Aswellasbeingsentbyemailtoallmidwivesandotherstakeholders,thenewsletterispublishedontheCouncil’swebsite.

New Zealand College of Midwives - Therearethreepillarsnecessarytocreateandmaintainahighqualitymidwiferyworkforce–midwiferyeducationprogrammes,regulatoryframeworksandprofessionalassociation.TheCouncilunderstandsallthreepillarsneedtobestrongandtothisend,maintainsacollegialworkingrelationshipwiththeNZCollegeofMidwivesastheprofessionalassociation.TheCouncilalsohadthreeformalmeetingswithCollegetodiscussmattersofmutualinterest.TheMidwiferyAdvisorattendedtheannualmidwiferyeducators’workshop,hostedbytheCollege.

Ministry of Health - TheCouncilhasmetwiththeMaternityAdvisorsonanumberofoccasionsduringtheyear.

District Health Boards – TheCouncilmaintainsgoodworkingrelationshipswithDHBmidwiferyleaders,women’shealthmanagersandmidwiferyeducators.

Australian Nursing – Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia –Duringtheyear,theCouncilsignedaMemorandumofUnderstandingwiththeNMBAtoworkcloselyoverpolicyandprofessionalissuesrelatingtotheregulationofmidwives.TheChairandRegistrarattendedaNMBABoardmeetinginMelbourneinAugustwhenattendingtheNationalRegulatoryAuthoritiesSchemeConference.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council - TheCouncilhasaMemorandumofUnderstandingwithANMACtocooperateandliaiseoverTrans-Tasmanmidwiferymattersrelatingtotheeducation,accreditationandassessmentofmidwives.TheRegistrarattendedanANMACBoardmeetinginCanberrainDecember.

International Consultative Committee – SharronColeistheCouncilrepresentativeonthisANMACcommitteewhichmeetstwiceyearlyinCanberratoconsiderissuesrelatingtotheassessmentofthequalificationsofinternationalnursingandmidwiferyapplicantstoensurethatpolicies,proceduresandinformationmanagementmeetbestpracticeandthusthehealthandsafetyofthepublicareprotected.

26


7 hEalTh rEGulaTOry auThOrITIES NEw ZEalaNd COllabOraTIONS

27

HRANZprovidesaforumforallthehealthregulatoryauthoritiestoshareinformationandtoworkonmattersofcommoninterestincarryingoutourrolesundertheAct.

TheCouncilhasactivelyparticipatedinHRANZ,bothintheoperationalandstrategicmeetings.


8 FINaNCE

28


9 CONTaCT dETaIlS

SECRETARIAT

Staff members of the Midwifery Councilat 31 March 2014 were:Chief Executive and Registrar: Sharron ColeDeputy Registrar: Nick BennieMidwifery Advisor: Susan CalvertAccounts and Registration: Marilyn PiersonProgrammes Manager: Andy CrosbyAdministrator: Christine WhaangaAssistant Administrator: Judith Norman

LEGAL ADVISORS

Matthew McClellandHarbour ChambersPO Box 10-242The TerraceWellington 6143

Andrew S. McIntyre (for PCC)Beachcroft NZPO Box 5530Wellington 6145

All correspondence to the Council should be addressed to:

Midwifery CouncilPO Box 24-448Manners StreetWellington 6142

Email: [email protected]: (04) 499 5040Fax: (04) 499 5045

ACCOUNTANTS

Crowe Horwath (NZ) Ltd (formerly WHK Wellington)PO Box 11 976Manners StWellington 6142

BANKERS

WestpacPO Box 691Wellington 6011

KiwibankWellington

of the midwifery council of new zealand

Documents