Public consultation now open for codes of conduct for nurses and midwives

23 Jan 2017

Today the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) opened public consultation on the revised Code of conduct for nurses and Code of conduct for midwives (the Codes).

The NMBA sets the national standards, codes and guidelines that nurses and midwives must meet to be registered in Australia.

The Codes set out the legal requirements, professional behaviour and conduct expectations for nurses and midwives in all practice settings. The Codes describe the principles of professional behaviour that guide safe practice, and clearly outline the conduct expected of nurses and midwives by their colleagues and the broader community.

The NMBA Chair, Associate Professor Lynette Cusack RN, said that the codes of conduct were important for the professions and the public.

‘The Codes guide nurses and midwives in their conduct and that of their peers, and let the public know what they should expect from their nurses and midwives.

‘The Codes have been developed through extensive consultation with key stakeholders and the nursing and midwifery professions, as well as literature and evidence reviews.

‘As the regulator, the NMBA is continuing to engage with nurses and midwives and with the wider community. Feedback from this public consultation will help the NMBA to make sure the Codes are clear and easy to understand, and most importantly that they accurately capture the conduct expected of nurses and midwives.’

The consultation documents and survey can be accessed on the NMBA website.

The consultation closes 10 March 2017.

For more information:

• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200
• Visit the NMBA website
• Lodge an online enquiry form
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers)