- Email: [email protected]
Branch reports branch reports bran
VICTORIAN B R A N C H STATE R E P O R T D J U L Y 1990 L A U N C H OF T H E B I R T H I N G SERVICES FINAL R E P O R T The Victorian Branch welcomed the release of the first comprehensive review of birthing services in this State. Having a Baby in Victoria, heralds a number of dynamic initiatives which will challenge conventional thought and develop more fully the role of the midwife in this state. The Victorian members have worked hard for recognition as a professional body and it is encouraging to see midwives being recognised as such. Whilst much work appears ahead, it is rewardin8 to see acceptance of the Standards for the PracUce of Midwifery as a document to guide the work of the midwife in Victoria. The Victorian Branch has endeavoured to establish some Continuing Education programmes and at present a Distance Learning package is being investigated. The report's proposal to involve the midwife as a primary care giver is heartedly accepted and the regional priorities will allow the midwife to use all her/his skills to give methods of care that have been overlooked for far too long. The Victorian Branch has already discussed many of the issues in the report following their initial sighting in the Interim Report and feels that its members are ready to work towards achieving an overall improved system of care.
M E M B E R S H I P AND T H E SECRETARIAT Membership is still on the increase with overall membership at the end of June at 824. However, we still hope to see this figure increasing steadily as there is much work that needs to be done over the near future to implement the recommendations of the Review. Also increase in new members will ~ive strength to the voice of midwifery when striving towards the challenges that lie before us. The secretariat has a new Clerical Assistant in Lilliana Claricic. She is finding the job interesting and learning about midwifery in the process. Being a mother of two she has an advantage over many of us. T H E FUTURE With over half the year gone the future is now the present and the present is now the past. The annual conference will be held on August 4th and 5th 1990. The theme will centre around antenatal care and pre-pregnancy counselling with a forum on private practice midwifery also being included. A new Executive will be nominated at this time, and another two years of commitment sought. Others will be off to Japan and Perth in October so its definitely a year for midwifery to be on the move. Ascension Martinez - - Secretary
CONTINUING EDUCATION The Continuing Education Sub-Committee has been extremely busy and apart from continuing seminars in both urban and country venues are hard at work compiling a Distance Learning Package. The first topic is to be Antenatal Education, a topic of vast proportions which should provide some interesting teaching strategies. The Committee recently set up two alms: 1. To promote and maintain the standard for the practice of Midwifery as delineated in "The Role of the Midwife in Victoria", and as defined by the Profession. 2. To enhance the pursuit of excellence through the provision of post-registration education for midwives and consultancy services for all areas of midwifery education. This year topics covered include, the midwife and cervical screening, domiciliary continuit), of care, shared care and the midwife, teenage chnic an overview, advocacy, grief, episiotomy, discharge planning and the midwife and the law. 34
ACMI (A.C.T. BRANCH) R E P O R T ( J U N E 1990) President: Chin Wong. Vice-President: (National Delegate) Carmel O'Meara. Secretary: Ann Kempe. Treasurer: Mary Kirk. Meetings: We have had two clinical meetings this year. On 7/6/90 Fran Parker (Director Client and Community Policy Department of the Policy and Planning and Government Relations Branch - - ACT Department Health), discussed her role within the Health Department. In particular her role of consulting with members o f the community on health issues. On 24/5/90 Dr Ken Hopkinson (John Curtin School of Medical Research) discussed his research into his work on the connection between malignant hyperpyrexia and SIDS.
AUSTRALIANCOLLEGE OF MIDWIVESJOURNALSEPTEMBER1990
[ R E P O R T S B R A N C H R E P O R T S B R A N C H REP Branch meetings: meetings of the Executive Committee will continue to be held every month with branch meetings every second month. Clinical meetings will be held in between with topics of midwifery interest. The executive are forming a sub-committee to work on a formal continuing education program. Hospital Redevelopment: There has been much public debate over the Alliance Governments decision to close Royal Canberra Hospital and redevelop Woden Valley and Calvary hospitals. The ACMI (ACT Branch) is active in the decision making process regarding the future of obstetric services in the ACT. Through the Maternity Services Working Party we are helping to form policy on a future birth centre as part of the updated obstetric services in Canberra. Chin Wong (Branch President) in consultation with a sub-committee, has been working hard on the working party to represent the views of members. PUBLICATIONS The Breast Feeding Protocal Booklet is in its second printing and is selling well. Recently it was endorsed by the ACT Department of Health as the most appropriate information for consumers as well as health professionals. A second booklet entitled "Multicultural Information for Midwives" is now available for sale. It has been written by Lindy Dugard and published by the ACT Branch of the ACMI. The proceeds from the sale will go towards the promotion of continuing education for the ACT members. Both booklets can be obtained by writing to: Australian College of Midwives Inc (ACT. Branch) POBox 1918 CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601 Price: "Breast Feeding Protocal" - - $3.00 plus postage "Multicultural Information for Midwives - - $4.00 plus postage. ACT Branch
lo/7/9o
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BRANCH REPORT MEETINGS: The AGM elected the following Officer Bearers: President: Jill Thompson. Vice-President: Athalie Johnston. Secretary: Carol Thorogood. Treasurer: Anna Bosco.
Independent Midwife Rep: Hazel Woodcock. Committee Members: Mary Della Vedova Vivienne Gee Gwen Harvey Helen Cairns Publicity Coordinator: Mary Murphy. National Conference Committee Coordinator: Mary Delia Vedova. Combined Antenatal Education Committee Rep: Gwen Harvey. Fundraising Coordinator: Helen Cairns. Newsletter Committee: Lee-Anne Burnett and Taryn Murphy. Education Committee: Gwen Harvey. General meetings continue to be held on the second Tuesday of the month at Agnes Walsh House, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco at 7pm. The business session is followed by a guest speaker. Recent speakers have been Sue Bannister, Research Midwife presenting the research protocol for the "Perth Third Stage Trial" which is investigating the effectiveness of Syntometrine versus Syntocinon. This trial is funded by WHO as part of the joint WHO, ICM, FIGO Safe Motherhood initiative. This study is likely to have implications for birthing women not only in Western Australia, but more importantly, f o r women in the Third World where post partum haemorrhage contributes to t h e d e a t h of thousands of women each year. Research midwife Hazel Woodcock presented the results of a study of 995 women who planned to give birth at home in WA between 1982-1987. Of these women, 41% were having their first baby; half the women had an intact perineum; 24% of women were transferred to medical care or hospital during pregnancy, labour or postpartum. The majority of these transfers were for "slow progress' in labour, or other non-emergency reasons. CONTINUING EDUCATION' That all important area, The Perineum, was the subject of a very successful Combined Midwives and Physiotherapists Parent Education Committee Seminar in April. It was also the focus of a workshop on the Repair of Perineal Trauma Following Childbirth, conducted by the National Secretary Judy D'Elmaine and attended by 45 midwives. Those midwives who attended have wasted no time in takin$, the opportunity to practice their new found skills. Future perineal repair workshops are to be held for midwives who were unable to attend. A workshop on Resuscitation of the Newborn is bein[[ organised for the near future. As well as providing education for those midwives interest-
AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 1990
35
BRANCH REPORTS BRANCH REPORTS BRAI ed in extending their role, these workshops help midwives fulfil the requirements for accreditation with the ACMI. While Judy was visiting WA she attended a meeting to discuss legislation and guidelines for midwifery practice, visited the independent midwives at the Midwifery and Natural Childbirth Centre, visited our largest midwife teaching hospital and addressed more than 60 midwives on "National Issues Affecting Midwives in the 90s". Her whirlwind tour helped to inform and stimulate us to continue to reclaim our role in childbirth and raise the profile of midwives in the community. CONGRATULATIONS to Judy Smith who received the Stella Giles Soroptimist Award for Excellence for her work in the area of post-natal depression.
with members of the community and health professionals. Some important points: There should be a focus on health maintenance, access to preventative care, informed choice and access to health education for women. Improvements are needed to services for women in special needs groups; King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women should remain on its present site and continue as a teaching hospital providing level 1-3 care. It should expand to provide community based and outreach services to women and neonates. It is recommended that a second level 3 perintal centre be established at Fremantle Hospital; Chan.ges in the education of health professionals m regard to interpersonal communication and counselling skills.
Mary Murphy, Publicity Coordinator 26-7-1990
PUBLICITY: National Midwives Day was marked by radio and television interviews, newspaper articles and an eyecatching display at a large shopping centre. Thank you to all those midwives who gave up their time to hand out "What is a Midwife" pamphlets and talk to interested people. Similar displays have been mounted at the Baby Fair and at Baby. Care Week in a shopping centre. Midwives m the goldfields area (Kalgoorlie) also organized activities. All midwives are urged to be public Telations officers for the profession. If you hear of commercial maternity and baby wear parades, displays or pregnancy seminars, let us know so that we may take the opportunity to have midwives represented so that we can promote choice for women in childbirth and let women know that we are truly with them and not "just the nurse" who happens to be there when their baby is born. FUNDRAISING: The fundraising committee have been very busy selling theatre tickets, chocolates, holding stalls, raffles and a quiz night in an endeavour to raise sufficient funds to meet expenses associated with mounting the 1991 National Conference. All midwives are urged to support these efforts and to volunteer your time to assist when requested. When everyone contributes a little, great things can be achieved. REVIEW OF OBSTETRIC, N E O N A T A L AND GYNAECOLOGICAL SERVICES: The Ministerial Task Force presented its report earlier this year after many months of meetings 36
STATE R E P O R T S O U T H A U S T R A L I A N BRANCH A.C.M.I. South Australian Branch continues with its monthly meeting format. On the 25th July the Branch held the A.G.M. with elections for Executive positions. It is with regret that this branch will lose the leadership and energy of Janice Brown as President Janice is leaving for the U.S.A. where she will pursue her career in education and will no doubt aspire to great heights. Good luck Janice. The new Executive will be: President Di Shaefer; Vice President Elizabeth Wood; Secretary Rosemary Conroy; Treasurer Raelene Maddern; Asst Sec/Tres Gillian Hall. Overall these members represent the major teaching hospitals, the private sector as well as midwives in Independent Practice. It is with some concern that the Branch recognizes the disadvantage in representation for country members in decision making processes within the State. The management committee intend to pursue this issue over the next few months with the possibility of forming sub-branches, ACTIVITIES. There has been increasing demands on Management Committee for comment, critique, evaluation, representation and consultation on midwifery issues which include the following: Midwifery Working Party Masters of Nursing Advanced Practice. Graduate Dip. of Midwifery Media Involvement on Disposable nappies
AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 1990
kNCH REPORTS BRANCH REPORTS BRANCF State wide Hospital lobbying on disposable nappies Midwifery Unit at the Adelaide Medical Centre for Women & Children. The Final Report from the Midwifery Working Party is due to be released soon and recommendations contained within this report will impact on practice. MEMBERS A membership drive was held over the past 6 months with the prize of $100 going to the midwife who recruited the most members. Margaret Spencer from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital was the winner with 14 new members for the College.
INTERNATIONAL The Branch has been successful in receiving a grant form AIDAB and the National College to enable two midwives from Velore in India to accompany our delegation to Japan for the International Congress. These colleagues were visited earlier this year by Lesley Barclay. They will fly to Adelaide for a one week's visit prior to the congress. An academic program has been arranged and talks with the Branch management Committee is planned. S.A. M I D W I V E S M E E T C H I N E S E DELEGATION S.A. Midwives were invited to meet with the Chinese Delegation of Obstetricians Paediatriclans and Hospital Administrators from the W.H.O. to discuss Midwifery in Australia. The discussion was most interesting and the Delel~alion left with copies of the Standards for Practice and the Constitution. We couldn't resist handing out our new button badges with "Midwives Naturally Care" logo. This logo promotes midwifery and registers our concern for the environment. Badges are available from the Publicity and Promotions Committee for $2 each. EDUCATION A public lecture held in July entitled "Birthing Options in the 1990's" gave Delia Connery C.N.C. Delivery. Suite Flinders Medical Centre a chance to have her say for Mothers and Midwives in this State. Student midwives at the Queen Victoria Hospital are excited over the Perineal Suturing Workshop being included in their curriculum with the possibility for extension of their skills in this area.
The Branch wishes to offer best wishes to Mary Cameron, Senior lecturer at S.A.C.E. Sturt Campus on her retirement. Mary, a well known S.A. midwife has had extensive experienco in Australia and Canada. The S.A. Branch wish Mary every happiness.
Judi Brown.
N.S.W. STATE REPORT. J U L Y 1990 I'm writing this after one of our half day seminars. Today's was on "The Biophysical Assessment of the Fetus". It was most informative with the local experts helping the 100 or so participants update their knowledge on this important and developing area. One interesting aside was the mention by a Professor, during his presentation on fetal physiology of the new branch of Obstetric practitioners soon to be here m the materno-fetal specialist. Look out! This could be an interesting development in the redefining of territories in maternity care. Our seminars continue with the next one on "Self assertiveness and conflict resolution". Today also saw the official opening of the Paddington Royal Hospital for Women's Birth Centre. This birth centre has been running out of a temporary site for years as Sydney's truly hospital based alternative birth venue and now has its own home. There will be another Birth Centre opening in the next couple of months at King George V. We are very happy to see the options for women increasing. Our history book committee is busy compiling information for a book documenting the history of Midwifery in Australia. They have written to all State Branches requesting contributions for this project. The Research committee is currently exploring the possibility of conducting research into suitable patient staff ratios for midwifery and neonatal units. The N.S.W. Midwives Association is soon to be .the proud owner of a portable, very fancy display stand to be used for exhibiting at seminars and conferences. This will prove a useful tool in our efforts of promotion. Interesting developments are occurring in the area 6f Independent Midwifery Practice with the call to the N.H. & M.R.C. to formulate guidelines for homebirth and the difficulties in the implementation of the accreditation of midwives to hospitals, we are seeing the development of fac-
AUSTRALIANCOLLEGE OF MIDWIVES JOURNALSEPTEMBER 1990
37
tions within the Independent Midwives based on their different attitudes to the underlying issues. The membership continues to grow with the last count at 883. Interestingly 45% of our members are from country areas. The postal address has changed to: N.S.W. Midwives Association, P.O. Box 1458, Dee Why, N.S.W. 2099.
Jane Thompson
July 1990 The Tasmanian branch has been busy over the last few months. Our membership continues to steadily grow and is currently 151. We, along with our colleagues Australia wide, it seems, have found the frustrations of dealing with the Secretariat tiresome. Our treasurer has borne the brunt of this. We are pleased to hear that our National body is addressing this situation. Our executive decided that given our decentralized state and the problems and meetings that we would try and offer regionalized workshops. This Seems to be worthwhile with our Perineal Repair Workshops being extremely well supported and registrations for one day "Spiritual Midwifery" workshops facilitated by Shivam Rachana for late August already strong.
THE wise leader does not interr unnecessarily. The leader's presence is felt, but often the group runs itself. Lesser leaders do a lot, say a lot, have followers, and form cults. Even worse ones use fear to energize the group and force to overcome resistance. Only the most dreadful leaders have bad reputations. 38
An ongoing Education Fund with an opening balance of $1,000 has been established. The Fund is to assist midwives to update their skills and their personal development have received financial assistance of varying amounts to attend workshops/seminars/conferences on a range of topics. The Southern Area recently participated in Glenorchy's Healthy City Festival with a staffed information stand. Most interest was shown in midwives' clinics, breastfeeding, early discharge, homebirths and birth centres. The Nurses' Registration Board have drawn up draft regulations for the role of the independent midwives. The branch has formulated a response. We have also been requested to have a delegate join a Nursing Advisory Council. Renewed vitality and interest in ACMI has been generated by our second delegate attending the last two National meetings. This has given both midwives greater insight into what we can and should become involved in and really reinf~rces the need for effective communication for any groups to grow and mature. We are looking forward to our AGM August 4th, where we will have a number of new names/faces joining the executive as a couple of us are standing down. I have enjoyed my term as President and although I am moving.into Family an Child Health Nursing I will remain in contact with midwives and our branch of ACMI. I feel sure the 1990s will see the blossoming of midwifery as a profession.
Remember that you are facilitating another person's process. It is not your process. Do not intrude. Do not control. Do not force your own needs and insights into the foreground. If y o u do not trust a person's process, that person will not trust you. Imagine that you are a midwife; you are assisting at someone else's birth. Do good without show or fuss. Facilitate what is happening rather than what you think ought to be happening. If you must take the lead, lead so that the mother is helped, yet still free and in charge. When the baby is born, the mother will rightly say: "We did it ourselves!" Author Unknown.
AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 1990
QUEENSLAND REPORT M E M B E R S H I P AND M E E T I N G S For the first time, membership of ACMI (Qld Branch) has climbed to over 200. Currently, of the 1,300 or so practising midwives in this State, 205 are members of ACMI. While we are delighted with the response to our initiatives to attract new members, we are determined to alter the existing ratio, between members and non-members, substantially, during this membership year. One initiative which has not only increased membership but also improved attendance at meetings, has been a changed meeting format. The management committee now meets monthly to deal with general business (reporting back to the branch quarterly) leaving monthly meetings free for debating current issues. Two physiotherapists addressed our last meeting. The discussion following their presentation was extremely positive and plans have been made for an ongoing dialogue.
SEMINARS Plans are underway for a seminar to be held at the Gold Coast in October. The first of this series of half day seminar was held in July and the format and content was well received by those attending. September is a big month with both the State Conference and a Maureen Minchen workshop tempting those looking to broaden their vision. The state conference will be held in Townsville whilst Maureen Minchen will be slightly more accessible (at least to city midwives) at Nambour. POLITICS The major issue facing Queensland midwives at this time is a proposed new Nursing Act. Activity has been frenzied, to say the very least. Meetings have been organised to discuss the issues, lobby kits prepared, the nurses union advised of our objections and consumer groups briefed about the proposed changes. Education and motivation will hopefully pay dividends. We are fighting hard to retain a midwives register and to have the words midwife and midwifery included throughout the document. Of course the issues are much broader than this and a small committee is preparing a detailed submission to present to the Minister for Health in response to the green paper. Wish us luck!!
W H Y ARE YOU G O I N G TO J A P A N ? Why are you going to Japan? That is the question that I asked m.yself as I watched the exchange rates fluctuate m the daily newspapers and totted up registration, airfares, passport, visa, hotel bills, and taxes. Would I have anything left for food? As the Japan Travel Bureau had indicated, attendance at the 21 st Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Kobe was likely to be "veffi:l-y expensive". I could go probably to Bali five times for less and still have some change for a massage on the beach, fly to a favourite haunt in France or dihe out for a week in Singapore on what one meal might cost in Tokyo. Well, "verrry expensive" or not, why was I making plans to go to Japan? I stopped to think about the seeds that were sown thirty years ago. In one of the few quiet moments found when working in Casualty, 'Kirk' as the Charge Nurse was affectionately known, was reminiscing about her youthful experiences. On the traditional working holiday accompanied by three fellow nurses, she had discovered the delights of being in England without parental constraint. Kirk's elderly aunt came to hear that the group was footloose and fance free. In spite of protestations that they were not interested in stuffy international affairs, the Australians found themselves on their way to Sweden to attend a Congress of the International Confederation of Nurses. The overnight ferry journey and first sight of liberated Swedes was a story in itself. This however was eclipsed by the tribute that Kirk paid to her aunt, who in the wisdom of her years had engineered an experience that these nurses would never forget. As Kirk tells it, a gathering of colleagues from all corners of the earth is something very special and one not easily described. " I f you ever get the oppo, rtunity (to attend an InternationalCongress)' she said, "grab it and go, otherwise you will never know what you have missed". I have Kirk to thank for Sydney then The Hague. Now that's why I'm going to Japan. Hope to see you in Kobe, if not in Vancouver in 1993. Jill Thompson, W.A.
Joan Webster Secretary AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 1990
39
Reference: By Ron Lord, The Health Professional April 1990. The Director of the NSW Complaints Unit, Ms Merrily Walton, has urged nurses to confront medical and nursing incompetence by reporting the matter. "Such behaviour should not be seen as dobbing in one's mate or colleague," she told a recent nursing conference in Sydney. "Rather it is behaviour expected of a professional person. If the nursing profession is to maintain standards that serve the public interest, then poor and incompetent practice must be reported. "Patients are more aware of their rights than ever before and democratically elected governments must and will respond to the increasing demands by the public for proper accountability and complaint mechanisms to ensure that standards are met, monitored and maintained. "The law is developing in a way that takes account of the patient's position. While the law will not replace doctors' power with patients' power, it will seek to strike a more balanced
Ms Walton said proper places to report incompetence include the medical board, the nurses registration board or the complaints unit. She told the conference the unit was investigating eight complaints about unregistered midwives attending home births. Complaints from providers and people receiving the home birth care were also increasing. Ms Walton said there was uncertainty in NSW about unregistered persons attending home births, although the Nurses Registration Act prohibited an unregistered midwife being at a birth except in an emergency. "In NSW as in other parts of the country, unregistered persons do attend and deliver babies," she said. "Given this confused state of affairs it is essential that the issue of minimum standards of care and skill for home birth attendants be confronted. "The lack of a minimum standard of skill and care does not serve the public interest." Ms Walton said the complaints unit was not interested in becoming embroiled in the political and philosophical debate about home births. But it was concerned that services provided to women were competent and satisfied the public interest demand for care and skill.
i,i,l,~tlt,1;, I
Call for Abstracts The 2nd International Home Birth Conference
Reclaiming our heritage... Creating our future T h e s e c o n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l H o m e Birth C o n f e r e n c e will be held in S y d n e y , A u s t r a l i a in O c t o b e r / N o v e m b e r , 1992. It will run over five days (including a r e c r e a t i o n day) with w o r k s h o p s a v a i l a b l e on the days before a n d after the conference. T h e s e c o n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l H o m e Birth C o n f e r e n c e aims to have a b r o a d international focus, and will look at the advantages o f h o m e b i r t h , w h a t it has given to families a n d w h a t it offers to future generations. T h e c o n f e r e n c e will be a d d r e s s e d by speakers s u c h as Sheila Kitzinger a n d J a n e t Balaskas.
The Conference Organising Committees makes its Call for Abstracts D e a d l i n e for abstracts - O c t o b e r 31st 1991
For further details contact: C o n f e r e n c e Secretariat P.O. Box 341, Balgowlah, N . S . W . 2093, A u s t r a l i a or Sheryl Sidery T e l e p h o n e (02) 94 6 1 3 0 F a x (02) 949 6 4 0 9 (within Australia) T e l e p h o n e 6 1 2 946 130 F a x (02) 9 4 9 6 4 0 9 (outside Australia)
M E M B E R S H I P AND T H E SECRETARIAT Membership is still on the increase with overall membership at the end of June at 824. However, we still hope to see this figure increasing steadily as there is much work that needs to be done over the near future to implement the recommendations of the Review. Also increase in new members will ~ive strength to the voice of midwifery when striving towards the challenges that lie before us. The secretariat has a new Clerical Assistant in Lilliana Claricic. She is finding the job interesting and learning about midwifery in the process. Being a mother of two she has an advantage over many of us. T H E FUTURE With over half the year gone the future is now the present and the present is now the past. The annual conference will be held on August 4th and 5th 1990. The theme will centre around antenatal care and pre-pregnancy counselling with a forum on private practice midwifery also being included. A new Executive will be nominated at this time, and another two years of commitment sought. Others will be off to Japan and Perth in October so its definitely a year for midwifery to be on the move. Ascension Martinez - - Secretary
CONTINUING EDUCATION The Continuing Education Sub-Committee has been extremely busy and apart from continuing seminars in both urban and country venues are hard at work compiling a Distance Learning Package. The first topic is to be Antenatal Education, a topic of vast proportions which should provide some interesting teaching strategies. The Committee recently set up two alms: 1. To promote and maintain the standard for the practice of Midwifery as delineated in "The Role of the Midwife in Victoria", and as defined by the Profession. 2. To enhance the pursuit of excellence through the provision of post-registration education for midwives and consultancy services for all areas of midwifery education. This year topics covered include, the midwife and cervical screening, domiciliary continuit), of care, shared care and the midwife, teenage chnic an overview, advocacy, grief, episiotomy, discharge planning and the midwife and the law. 34
ACMI (A.C.T. BRANCH) R E P O R T ( J U N E 1990) President: Chin Wong. Vice-President: (National Delegate) Carmel O'Meara. Secretary: Ann Kempe. Treasurer: Mary Kirk. Meetings: We have had two clinical meetings this year. On 7/6/90 Fran Parker (Director Client and Community Policy Department of the Policy and Planning and Government Relations Branch - - ACT Department Health), discussed her role within the Health Department. In particular her role of consulting with members o f the community on health issues. On 24/5/90 Dr Ken Hopkinson (John Curtin School of Medical Research) discussed his research into his work on the connection between malignant hyperpyrexia and SIDS.
AUSTRALIANCOLLEGE OF MIDWIVESJOURNALSEPTEMBER1990
[ R E P O R T S B R A N C H R E P O R T S B R A N C H REP Branch meetings: meetings of the Executive Committee will continue to be held every month with branch meetings every second month. Clinical meetings will be held in between with topics of midwifery interest. The executive are forming a sub-committee to work on a formal continuing education program. Hospital Redevelopment: There has been much public debate over the Alliance Governments decision to close Royal Canberra Hospital and redevelop Woden Valley and Calvary hospitals. The ACMI (ACT Branch) is active in the decision making process regarding the future of obstetric services in the ACT. Through the Maternity Services Working Party we are helping to form policy on a future birth centre as part of the updated obstetric services in Canberra. Chin Wong (Branch President) in consultation with a sub-committee, has been working hard on the working party to represent the views of members. PUBLICATIONS The Breast Feeding Protocal Booklet is in its second printing and is selling well. Recently it was endorsed by the ACT Department of Health as the most appropriate information for consumers as well as health professionals. A second booklet entitled "Multicultural Information for Midwives" is now available for sale. It has been written by Lindy Dugard and published by the ACT Branch of the ACMI. The proceeds from the sale will go towards the promotion of continuing education for the ACT members. Both booklets can be obtained by writing to: Australian College of Midwives Inc (ACT. Branch) POBox 1918 CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601 Price: "Breast Feeding Protocal" - - $3.00 plus postage "Multicultural Information for Midwives - - $4.00 plus postage. ACT Branch
lo/7/9o
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BRANCH REPORT MEETINGS: The AGM elected the following Officer Bearers: President: Jill Thompson. Vice-President: Athalie Johnston. Secretary: Carol Thorogood. Treasurer: Anna Bosco.
Independent Midwife Rep: Hazel Woodcock. Committee Members: Mary Della Vedova Vivienne Gee Gwen Harvey Helen Cairns Publicity Coordinator: Mary Murphy. National Conference Committee Coordinator: Mary Delia Vedova. Combined Antenatal Education Committee Rep: Gwen Harvey. Fundraising Coordinator: Helen Cairns. Newsletter Committee: Lee-Anne Burnett and Taryn Murphy. Education Committee: Gwen Harvey. General meetings continue to be held on the second Tuesday of the month at Agnes Walsh House, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco at 7pm. The business session is followed by a guest speaker. Recent speakers have been Sue Bannister, Research Midwife presenting the research protocol for the "Perth Third Stage Trial" which is investigating the effectiveness of Syntometrine versus Syntocinon. This trial is funded by WHO as part of the joint WHO, ICM, FIGO Safe Motherhood initiative. This study is likely to have implications for birthing women not only in Western Australia, but more importantly, f o r women in the Third World where post partum haemorrhage contributes to t h e d e a t h of thousands of women each year. Research midwife Hazel Woodcock presented the results of a study of 995 women who planned to give birth at home in WA between 1982-1987. Of these women, 41% were having their first baby; half the women had an intact perineum; 24% of women were transferred to medical care or hospital during pregnancy, labour or postpartum. The majority of these transfers were for "slow progress' in labour, or other non-emergency reasons. CONTINUING EDUCATION' That all important area, The Perineum, was the subject of a very successful Combined Midwives and Physiotherapists Parent Education Committee Seminar in April. It was also the focus of a workshop on the Repair of Perineal Trauma Following Childbirth, conducted by the National Secretary Judy D'Elmaine and attended by 45 midwives. Those midwives who attended have wasted no time in takin$, the opportunity to practice their new found skills. Future perineal repair workshops are to be held for midwives who were unable to attend. A workshop on Resuscitation of the Newborn is bein[[ organised for the near future. As well as providing education for those midwives interest-
AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 1990
35
BRANCH REPORTS BRANCH REPORTS BRAI ed in extending their role, these workshops help midwives fulfil the requirements for accreditation with the ACMI. While Judy was visiting WA she attended a meeting to discuss legislation and guidelines for midwifery practice, visited the independent midwives at the Midwifery and Natural Childbirth Centre, visited our largest midwife teaching hospital and addressed more than 60 midwives on "National Issues Affecting Midwives in the 90s". Her whirlwind tour helped to inform and stimulate us to continue to reclaim our role in childbirth and raise the profile of midwives in the community. CONGRATULATIONS to Judy Smith who received the Stella Giles Soroptimist Award for Excellence for her work in the area of post-natal depression.
with members of the community and health professionals. Some important points: There should be a focus on health maintenance, access to preventative care, informed choice and access to health education for women. Improvements are needed to services for women in special needs groups; King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women should remain on its present site and continue as a teaching hospital providing level 1-3 care. It should expand to provide community based and outreach services to women and neonates. It is recommended that a second level 3 perintal centre be established at Fremantle Hospital; Chan.ges in the education of health professionals m regard to interpersonal communication and counselling skills.
Mary Murphy, Publicity Coordinator 26-7-1990
PUBLICITY: National Midwives Day was marked by radio and television interviews, newspaper articles and an eyecatching display at a large shopping centre. Thank you to all those midwives who gave up their time to hand out "What is a Midwife" pamphlets and talk to interested people. Similar displays have been mounted at the Baby Fair and at Baby. Care Week in a shopping centre. Midwives m the goldfields area (Kalgoorlie) also organized activities. All midwives are urged to be public Telations officers for the profession. If you hear of commercial maternity and baby wear parades, displays or pregnancy seminars, let us know so that we may take the opportunity to have midwives represented so that we can promote choice for women in childbirth and let women know that we are truly with them and not "just the nurse" who happens to be there when their baby is born. FUNDRAISING: The fundraising committee have been very busy selling theatre tickets, chocolates, holding stalls, raffles and a quiz night in an endeavour to raise sufficient funds to meet expenses associated with mounting the 1991 National Conference. All midwives are urged to support these efforts and to volunteer your time to assist when requested. When everyone contributes a little, great things can be achieved. REVIEW OF OBSTETRIC, N E O N A T A L AND GYNAECOLOGICAL SERVICES: The Ministerial Task Force presented its report earlier this year after many months of meetings 36
STATE R E P O R T S O U T H A U S T R A L I A N BRANCH A.C.M.I. South Australian Branch continues with its monthly meeting format. On the 25th July the Branch held the A.G.M. with elections for Executive positions. It is with regret that this branch will lose the leadership and energy of Janice Brown as President Janice is leaving for the U.S.A. where she will pursue her career in education and will no doubt aspire to great heights. Good luck Janice. The new Executive will be: President Di Shaefer; Vice President Elizabeth Wood; Secretary Rosemary Conroy; Treasurer Raelene Maddern; Asst Sec/Tres Gillian Hall. Overall these members represent the major teaching hospitals, the private sector as well as midwives in Independent Practice. It is with some concern that the Branch recognizes the disadvantage in representation for country members in decision making processes within the State. The management committee intend to pursue this issue over the next few months with the possibility of forming sub-branches, ACTIVITIES. There has been increasing demands on Management Committee for comment, critique, evaluation, representation and consultation on midwifery issues which include the following: Midwifery Working Party Masters of Nursing Advanced Practice. Graduate Dip. of Midwifery Media Involvement on Disposable nappies
AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 1990
kNCH REPORTS BRANCH REPORTS BRANCF State wide Hospital lobbying on disposable nappies Midwifery Unit at the Adelaide Medical Centre for Women & Children. The Final Report from the Midwifery Working Party is due to be released soon and recommendations contained within this report will impact on practice. MEMBERS A membership drive was held over the past 6 months with the prize of $100 going to the midwife who recruited the most members. Margaret Spencer from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital was the winner with 14 new members for the College.
INTERNATIONAL The Branch has been successful in receiving a grant form AIDAB and the National College to enable two midwives from Velore in India to accompany our delegation to Japan for the International Congress. These colleagues were visited earlier this year by Lesley Barclay. They will fly to Adelaide for a one week's visit prior to the congress. An academic program has been arranged and talks with the Branch management Committee is planned. S.A. M I D W I V E S M E E T C H I N E S E DELEGATION S.A. Midwives were invited to meet with the Chinese Delegation of Obstetricians Paediatriclans and Hospital Administrators from the W.H.O. to discuss Midwifery in Australia. The discussion was most interesting and the Delel~alion left with copies of the Standards for Practice and the Constitution. We couldn't resist handing out our new button badges with "Midwives Naturally Care" logo. This logo promotes midwifery and registers our concern for the environment. Badges are available from the Publicity and Promotions Committee for $2 each. EDUCATION A public lecture held in July entitled "Birthing Options in the 1990's" gave Delia Connery C.N.C. Delivery. Suite Flinders Medical Centre a chance to have her say for Mothers and Midwives in this State. Student midwives at the Queen Victoria Hospital are excited over the Perineal Suturing Workshop being included in their curriculum with the possibility for extension of their skills in this area.
The Branch wishes to offer best wishes to Mary Cameron, Senior lecturer at S.A.C.E. Sturt Campus on her retirement. Mary, a well known S.A. midwife has had extensive experienco in Australia and Canada. The S.A. Branch wish Mary every happiness.
Judi Brown.
N.S.W. STATE REPORT. J U L Y 1990 I'm writing this after one of our half day seminars. Today's was on "The Biophysical Assessment of the Fetus". It was most informative with the local experts helping the 100 or so participants update their knowledge on this important and developing area. One interesting aside was the mention by a Professor, during his presentation on fetal physiology of the new branch of Obstetric practitioners soon to be here m the materno-fetal specialist. Look out! This could be an interesting development in the redefining of territories in maternity care. Our seminars continue with the next one on "Self assertiveness and conflict resolution". Today also saw the official opening of the Paddington Royal Hospital for Women's Birth Centre. This birth centre has been running out of a temporary site for years as Sydney's truly hospital based alternative birth venue and now has its own home. There will be another Birth Centre opening in the next couple of months at King George V. We are very happy to see the options for women increasing. Our history book committee is busy compiling information for a book documenting the history of Midwifery in Australia. They have written to all State Branches requesting contributions for this project. The Research committee is currently exploring the possibility of conducting research into suitable patient staff ratios for midwifery and neonatal units. The N.S.W. Midwives Association is soon to be .the proud owner of a portable, very fancy display stand to be used for exhibiting at seminars and conferences. This will prove a useful tool in our efforts of promotion. Interesting developments are occurring in the area 6f Independent Midwifery Practice with the call to the N.H. & M.R.C. to formulate guidelines for homebirth and the difficulties in the implementation of the accreditation of midwives to hospitals, we are seeing the development of fac-
AUSTRALIANCOLLEGE OF MIDWIVES JOURNALSEPTEMBER 1990
37
tions within the Independent Midwives based on their different attitudes to the underlying issues. The membership continues to grow with the last count at 883. Interestingly 45% of our members are from country areas. The postal address has changed to: N.S.W. Midwives Association, P.O. Box 1458, Dee Why, N.S.W. 2099.
Jane Thompson
July 1990 The Tasmanian branch has been busy over the last few months. Our membership continues to steadily grow and is currently 151. We, along with our colleagues Australia wide, it seems, have found the frustrations of dealing with the Secretariat tiresome. Our treasurer has borne the brunt of this. We are pleased to hear that our National body is addressing this situation. Our executive decided that given our decentralized state and the problems and meetings that we would try and offer regionalized workshops. This Seems to be worthwhile with our Perineal Repair Workshops being extremely well supported and registrations for one day "Spiritual Midwifery" workshops facilitated by Shivam Rachana for late August already strong.
THE wise leader does not interr unnecessarily. The leader's presence is felt, but often the group runs itself. Lesser leaders do a lot, say a lot, have followers, and form cults. Even worse ones use fear to energize the group and force to overcome resistance. Only the most dreadful leaders have bad reputations. 38
An ongoing Education Fund with an opening balance of $1,000 has been established. The Fund is to assist midwives to update their skills and their personal development have received financial assistance of varying amounts to attend workshops/seminars/conferences on a range of topics. The Southern Area recently participated in Glenorchy's Healthy City Festival with a staffed information stand. Most interest was shown in midwives' clinics, breastfeeding, early discharge, homebirths and birth centres. The Nurses' Registration Board have drawn up draft regulations for the role of the independent midwives. The branch has formulated a response. We have also been requested to have a delegate join a Nursing Advisory Council. Renewed vitality and interest in ACMI has been generated by our second delegate attending the last two National meetings. This has given both midwives greater insight into what we can and should become involved in and really reinf~rces the need for effective communication for any groups to grow and mature. We are looking forward to our AGM August 4th, where we will have a number of new names/faces joining the executive as a couple of us are standing down. I have enjoyed my term as President and although I am moving.into Family an Child Health Nursing I will remain in contact with midwives and our branch of ACMI. I feel sure the 1990s will see the blossoming of midwifery as a profession.
Remember that you are facilitating another person's process. It is not your process. Do not intrude. Do not control. Do not force your own needs and insights into the foreground. If y o u do not trust a person's process, that person will not trust you. Imagine that you are a midwife; you are assisting at someone else's birth. Do good without show or fuss. Facilitate what is happening rather than what you think ought to be happening. If you must take the lead, lead so that the mother is helped, yet still free and in charge. When the baby is born, the mother will rightly say: "We did it ourselves!" Author Unknown.
AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 1990
QUEENSLAND REPORT M E M B E R S H I P AND M E E T I N G S For the first time, membership of ACMI (Qld Branch) has climbed to over 200. Currently, of the 1,300 or so practising midwives in this State, 205 are members of ACMI. While we are delighted with the response to our initiatives to attract new members, we are determined to alter the existing ratio, between members and non-members, substantially, during this membership year. One initiative which has not only increased membership but also improved attendance at meetings, has been a changed meeting format. The management committee now meets monthly to deal with general business (reporting back to the branch quarterly) leaving monthly meetings free for debating current issues. Two physiotherapists addressed our last meeting. The discussion following their presentation was extremely positive and plans have been made for an ongoing dialogue.
SEMINARS Plans are underway for a seminar to be held at the Gold Coast in October. The first of this series of half day seminar was held in July and the format and content was well received by those attending. September is a big month with both the State Conference and a Maureen Minchen workshop tempting those looking to broaden their vision. The state conference will be held in Townsville whilst Maureen Minchen will be slightly more accessible (at least to city midwives) at Nambour. POLITICS The major issue facing Queensland midwives at this time is a proposed new Nursing Act. Activity has been frenzied, to say the very least. Meetings have been organised to discuss the issues, lobby kits prepared, the nurses union advised of our objections and consumer groups briefed about the proposed changes. Education and motivation will hopefully pay dividends. We are fighting hard to retain a midwives register and to have the words midwife and midwifery included throughout the document. Of course the issues are much broader than this and a small committee is preparing a detailed submission to present to the Minister for Health in response to the green paper. Wish us luck!!
W H Y ARE YOU G O I N G TO J A P A N ? Why are you going to Japan? That is the question that I asked m.yself as I watched the exchange rates fluctuate m the daily newspapers and totted up registration, airfares, passport, visa, hotel bills, and taxes. Would I have anything left for food? As the Japan Travel Bureau had indicated, attendance at the 21 st Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Kobe was likely to be "veffi:l-y expensive". I could go probably to Bali five times for less and still have some change for a massage on the beach, fly to a favourite haunt in France or dihe out for a week in Singapore on what one meal might cost in Tokyo. Well, "verrry expensive" or not, why was I making plans to go to Japan? I stopped to think about the seeds that were sown thirty years ago. In one of the few quiet moments found when working in Casualty, 'Kirk' as the Charge Nurse was affectionately known, was reminiscing about her youthful experiences. On the traditional working holiday accompanied by three fellow nurses, she had discovered the delights of being in England without parental constraint. Kirk's elderly aunt came to hear that the group was footloose and fance free. In spite of protestations that they were not interested in stuffy international affairs, the Australians found themselves on their way to Sweden to attend a Congress of the International Confederation of Nurses. The overnight ferry journey and first sight of liberated Swedes was a story in itself. This however was eclipsed by the tribute that Kirk paid to her aunt, who in the wisdom of her years had engineered an experience that these nurses would never forget. As Kirk tells it, a gathering of colleagues from all corners of the earth is something very special and one not easily described. " I f you ever get the oppo, rtunity (to attend an InternationalCongress)' she said, "grab it and go, otherwise you will never know what you have missed". I have Kirk to thank for Sydney then The Hague. Now that's why I'm going to Japan. Hope to see you in Kobe, if not in Vancouver in 1993. Jill Thompson, W.A.
Joan Webster Secretary AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 1990
39
Reference: By Ron Lord, The Health Professional April 1990. The Director of the NSW Complaints Unit, Ms Merrily Walton, has urged nurses to confront medical and nursing incompetence by reporting the matter. "Such behaviour should not be seen as dobbing in one's mate or colleague," she told a recent nursing conference in Sydney. "Rather it is behaviour expected of a professional person. If the nursing profession is to maintain standards that serve the public interest, then poor and incompetent practice must be reported. "Patients are more aware of their rights than ever before and democratically elected governments must and will respond to the increasing demands by the public for proper accountability and complaint mechanisms to ensure that standards are met, monitored and maintained. "The law is developing in a way that takes account of the patient's position. While the law will not replace doctors' power with patients' power, it will seek to strike a more balanced
Ms Walton said proper places to report incompetence include the medical board, the nurses registration board or the complaints unit. She told the conference the unit was investigating eight complaints about unregistered midwives attending home births. Complaints from providers and people receiving the home birth care were also increasing. Ms Walton said there was uncertainty in NSW about unregistered persons attending home births, although the Nurses Registration Act prohibited an unregistered midwife being at a birth except in an emergency. "In NSW as in other parts of the country, unregistered persons do attend and deliver babies," she said. "Given this confused state of affairs it is essential that the issue of minimum standards of care and skill for home birth attendants be confronted. "The lack of a minimum standard of skill and care does not serve the public interest." Ms Walton said the complaints unit was not interested in becoming embroiled in the political and philosophical debate about home births. But it was concerned that services provided to women were competent and satisfied the public interest demand for care and skill.
i,i,l,~tlt,1;, I
Call for Abstracts The 2nd International Home Birth Conference
Reclaiming our heritage... Creating our future T h e s e c o n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l H o m e Birth C o n f e r e n c e will be held in S y d n e y , A u s t r a l i a in O c t o b e r / N o v e m b e r , 1992. It will run over five days (including a r e c r e a t i o n day) with w o r k s h o p s a v a i l a b l e on the days before a n d after the conference. T h e s e c o n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l H o m e Birth C o n f e r e n c e aims to have a b r o a d international focus, and will look at the advantages o f h o m e b i r t h , w h a t it has given to families a n d w h a t it offers to future generations. T h e c o n f e r e n c e will be a d d r e s s e d by speakers s u c h as Sheila Kitzinger a n d J a n e t Balaskas.
The Conference Organising Committees makes its Call for Abstracts D e a d l i n e for abstracts - O c t o b e r 31st 1991
For further details contact: C o n f e r e n c e Secretariat P.O. Box 341, Balgowlah, N . S . W . 2093, A u s t r a l i a or Sheryl Sidery T e l e p h o n e (02) 94 6 1 3 0 F a x (02) 949 6 4 0 9 (within Australia) T e l e p h o n e 6 1 2 946 130 F a x (02) 9 4 9 6 4 0 9 (outside Australia)