4 AUTHORS
SARAH NICHOLSON Deputy Chief Midwife
CHRIS MALLON
Chief Midwife
ANTONIA YELAVICH
Human Resources Business Partner WH
Our midwifery workforce In July 2019, the Women’s Health division was established (separated from KidzFirst), and included a new midwifery leadership framework at Counties Manukau Health. The move centralised two midwifery roles, the Maternity Service Development Manager and the Maternity Quality and Safety Coordinator which were previously based in the District Health Board’s Planning and Funding division, which now sit in the Division of Women’s Health. This has strengthened the links between our maternity quality and safety programme and our service development for maternity services. A new Chief Midwife role was also introduced, enabling midwifery to work alongside other professional clinical groups at the executive leadership level of CM Health. This appointment is the first of its kind in New Zealand and illustrates CM Health’s commitment to its midwifery workforce. The Chief Midwife is supported by a deputy, indicating the size and scope for professional midwifery development at CM Health. In 2020 a specialist research midwife was also appointed at CM Health. The purpose of this role is to strengthen the midwifery research focus that underpins the care we provide. This appointment will enable CM Health to lead the way in midwifery focused research, and support midwives to participate in postgraduate research and further professional development.
Recruitment – graduate midwives The CM Health graduate midwifery programme continues to be well regarded as a strong foundation for new practitioners joining the CM Health workforce. The 15-month programme offers supported clinical experience in inpatient and community-based primary and secondary midwifery settings. This includes three 5-month placements in the Maternity Ward/Ward 21 (inpatient
high-risk antenatal and postnatal care), the Birthing and Assessment Unit, and either a primary birthing unit or with the District Health Board’s community midwives in Lambie Drive (antenatal and postnatal caseloads, excluding intrapartum). Feedback from midwives completing this programme continues to highlight its well-designed structure and support, which enable our graduate colleagues to develop a wide range of midwifery experiences. Graduate midwives practising as community lead-maternitycarer midwives in Counties Manukau are also invited to join the midwifery graduate programme orientation and study days. These days enable graduate midwives to continue their pre-registration collegial relationships and foster a united workforce. In 2020, we welcomed 22 employed and 12 community leadmaternity-carer graduate midwives.
“I felt so supported, welcomed and part of the team. I talked to many of the new graduates and they had the best things to say about their experiences in the graduate program Middlemore offers. Having a program that is highly regarded by the staff, and being 15 months vs. some districts of a 9 month graduate program, this greatly influences my choice to come here” “I decided to work at Counties as I was treated well as a student and expected that to continue as an employee. The grant greatly helped as I had just finished a financially demanding 4 year degree. It helped me pay off my credit card; I bought some good shoes for work and then borrowed more for a reliable car!”
WOMEN'S HEALTH AND NEWBORN ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 51
