QNMU calls for more midwives on International Day of the Midwife 2024
Published: 05 May 2024
The incredible contributions of Queensland midwives will be celebrated state-wide and around the world on International Day of the Midwife (IDM) today.
Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) Secretary Sarah Beaman said midwives were there for Queenslanders when they were most vulnerable.
“Queensland midwives are incredibly hard working and passionate about what they do,” Ms Beaman said.
“Midwives are there for Queensland women, babies and families before, during and post birth.
“They deserve to be celebrated and respected every day for the incredible contributions they make to the Queensland community.”
In 2023, following a lengthy QNMU campaign, the state government committed to becoming the only state or territory in Australia to count both mothers and babies in Queensland Health (QH) midwifery ratios.
QH has committed to the introduction of minimum ratios of 1:6 midwife to mother and baby across all Queensland Health maternity services.
Ms Beaman said for midwives to continue to improve outcomes for women and babies, there needed to be more of them.
“Midwives across Queensland are overworked, exhausted and burnt out,” Ms Beaman said.
“It’s the same situation across public and private hospitals and settings.
“Regardless of where a woman births, they deserve access to safe midwifery staffing levels.”
“This International Day of the Midwife, we celebrate the contribution of Queensland midwives and call for more, including a state government commitment to at least 11,800 additional Full Time Equivalent midwives and nurses across the public system.
“Midwives deserve respect, to know their work is valued by the people that employ them. They must also feel safe at work.”
QNMU Strategic Midwifery Professional Research Officer Dr Belinda Maier said evidence showed midwife led continuity of care models such as Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) resulted in 24% reduction of pre-term births and a 16% reduction in pregnancy and neonatal loss. Continuity of carer | Clinical Excellence Queensland (health.qld.gov.au)
The theme of this year’s International Day of the Midwife is Midwives: A Vital Climate Solution. Dr Maier said climate change posed risks to all Queenslanders and Australians, including women and babies.
She said midwives played an integral role in reducing the effects of climate change, with sustainable practices and the provision services with of low environmental impacts such as MGP. Midwife-led MGPs operate outside major hospitals and provide safe, affordable and low footprint care where and when it’s needed.
“Today we celebrate all midwives and call for the introduction of state government measures including free degrees and the provision of secure, affordable housing,” Ms Beaman said.
“These initiatives will help ensure Queensland can retain and recruit skilled midwives to safeguard the wellbeing of women, babies and families.”
The QNMU’s State Budget 2024-25 nursing and midwifery priorities document includes 40-plus health priorities to recruit and retain midwives and nurses and help fix Queensland’s workforce crisis. Qld Election 2024 (qnmu.org.au).
The QNMU will not rest until safe staffing levels are funded, planned and achieved.
Contact: 0422 550 278