NMBA recognises special day for midwives

05 May 2015

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia recognises the International Day of the Midwife.

On behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA or National Board), I commend the 33,590 midwives for their invaluable contribution to the health and well being of women and their families in Australia.

May is an important month for the midwifery profession with the International Day of the Midwife being commemorated worldwide today 5 May 2015. The International Confederation of Midwives’ theme this year is Midwives: for a better tomorrow to reflect the role of midwives in creating a brighter future for mothers, babies and families.

NMBA Chair Dr Lynette Cusack, RN said ‘Midwives working in Australia are absolutely vital in their role caring for women, babies, families and the community in general. Today is a day to reflect on the invaluable contribution of midwives not only in Australia but globally in tackling maternal, newborn and infant health.’

The International Day of the Midwife provides an opportunity to celebrate the unique and crucial role that midwives play in contributing to the way health care services and health workforce reform deliver better health outcomes for our communities.

The NMBA has recently funded a number of projects that address aspects of midwifery regulation including:

• Review of the Registration standard endorsement for scheduled medicines for midwives
• Safety and quality guidelines for midwives
• Re-entry to practice policy and provisional registration type
• Models of supervision for privately practising midwives

The midwifery profession continues to grow nationally and is vital in keeping mothers and their babies safe during pregnancy, labour and during the child’s infancy.

The NMBA plays a key role in regulating midwives and is committed to ensuring that midwives are able to practise to their full scope and provide safe maternity care for Australian women and their families.

We stay committed to supporting midwives in their invaluable work to practise in the provision of safe care for Australian communities.

Dr Lynette Cusack, RN
Chair
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

For more information

• Lodge an online enquiry form
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 03 9275 9009 (overseas callers)
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 920

Download a PDF of this Media statement - NMBA recognises special day for midwives - 5 May 2015 (111 KB,PDF)