In Tassy the Nursing Act stated that we were only allowed to practice under
the supervision of a doctor, so, we had to follow their directions. The Act
now states "the nurse is authorised to practice in the restricted practice
areas, if any, subject to the conditions, if any, specified in the
certificate". Midwifery is considered a restriced area of practice. This
act was designed to allow practitioner rights and slipped through without a
murmur from the medicos.
The only restrictions on midwifery practice that I know about (apart from
the registering ones, poisons act etc) is hospital policy. This policy in
the RHH is clearly documented.
Interestingly, 1.4 of the ANCI competencies states that "Identifies unsafe
practice and respomds appropriately to ensure a safe outcome.
* Interventions which prevent care being compromised and/or law contravened
are identified
* Appropriate action to be taken in specified circumstances is identified
* Alternative strategies for intervention and their likely outcomes are
identified and explained
* Behaviour that is detrimental to acheiving optimal care is identified
* incidents of unsafe practice are followed up to prevent re-occurence"
The Nursing Board in Tassy uses these competencies (and others) all the
time to assess fitness to practice.
So.............. I guess individual practice is limited by the mother's
wishes, the midwife's courage and convictions and the culture/support of
the unit.
Regards
Helen McDonald
At 12:18 26/08/99 +1000, you wrote:
>
>This question may seem naive but I really can't get a clear answer?
>
>What policy or legislation requires hospital midwives to follow medical
>protocols? For example: where do midwives stand if they don't do regular
>VEs, avoids using oxytocins or keep descriptive notes rather than use a
>partogram?
>
>I can find no legislation in Qld (which doesn't mean it doesn't exist but it
>is not in the nursing act and I'm told it is not in the health services
>act).
>
>A midwifery administrator tells me that the only way in which midwives are
>required to follow medical protocols is that if they don't they will not be
>covered by the hospital's vicarious liability insurance.
>
>Does anyone know anymore?
>
>
>Dr. Kathleen Fahy
>Associate Professor
>Midwifery Co-ordinator
>University Southern Queensland
>07 46312377
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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