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Thanks so much for this info, Lois. This list has
been invaluable to me in countless ways. It was lovely to meet you at Noosa
also.
I am just wondering if this lack of
advertising of vacancies is what maintains this staff shortage and consequently
maintains this random access to appropriate midwifery care both here and abroad.
It seems a truly bizarre way of attracting qualified staff, shouldn't
hospitals, birth centers, healthcenters, be
courting applicants in a time of shortage, I think I am missing a pice of the
equation. Are administrators truly worried they will employ too many midwives
and we'll all be standing around doing nothing?
It goes without saying that Community Midwifery Programs are the answer to
this crisis in care, but I do fear even if we finally get approval (of
NMAP) they/it will be so underfunded and understaffed that women will still
experience random and balloted access to this care as well as continued access
to crisis care in maternity hospitals, it just boggles my mind. After reading
the women's views and experiences on the BBC articles, I almost feel I can
understand why some are choosing elective c/s, it is all (well, mostly) about
access to some control over the kind of care they get. Ahh!
marilyn
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 5:14
PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] radio program
and Uk survey
Dear Marilyn, I think your impression regarding
advertised midwifery positions is right. I think many hospitals,
birth centres etc. only advertise positions if they have several vacancies and
are really worried about staff levels. Otherwise they rely on midwives
and nurses approaching the institutions directly, providing a CV and attending
an interview. Often the initial appointment is on a casual basis, or
short term contract, which can lead to permanent employment if both
parties are satisfied with each other's offers. My advice would be to
send CV's to the places you would like to work, with an expression of
interest. Let them know when you think you would be seeking work, and
the number of hours per fortnight you would like. Be aware they will
probably try to employ you on the lowest pay level they can. You need to
be really clear and assertive about what level you should be employed on, as
many will try to beat you down to starting on a lower payrate, especially
in the private sector. This has been my experience, anyway. It was
nice meeting you at Noosa. Best wishes, Lois
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, October 12, 2002 12:31
AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] radio
program and Uk survey
Wow, excellent access to the press articles.
But my heart just breaks. It seems everyone is aware of the midwifery
shortage. However, as one who is in the process of becoming authorised to
practice and will be looking for a midwifery position, if it weren't for
this list I would not know that positions were available. The positions I do
see advertised are usually for senior staff and management positions. Could
someone tell me what that is about? It seems to me that at least in
Australia we do have a lot of trained and educated midwives BUT that they
are not working as such and do we know or have any idea what would make them
come back AND are there really jobs for them to come back to? I mean really,
everyone talks about the nurse and midwife shortage but where are the job
openings? I look in the papers religiously and on the internet and quite
honestly I would say that the jobs do not exist, if the hospitals are
recruiting they are doing it very, very, quietly and selectively. I am
harping I know, but if I didn't know otherwise I would think that the
hospitals were more than adequately staffed and that I should look elswhere
for employment.
marilyn
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002
10:56 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] radio
program and Uk survey
In a message dated 10/10/02 11:45:23 AM W. Australia
Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
If anyone out there knows where to access the survey results
- any ideas at
all would be great.
I've copied
below info about this, that I have copied from one of our NCT email
groups.
I can't find a web site for the magazine, but am sure you
could probably find a copy it over here - it is the UK version.
"1
Oct A survey by Mother and Baby magazine has found that the
majority of
women find birth terrifying and that only 6% achieved a natural
birth.
This survey has received widespread coverage in all the media,
with
comments by NCT putting a more positive spin on childbirth today.
BBC Health
On-line / Guardian / Mail
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2288294.stm
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2288294.stm>
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=338348
<http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=338348>
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,802078,00.html
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,802078,00.html>
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/10/01/nbirth01.xml
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/10/01/nbirth01.xm
Hope
this helps.
Debbie Slater
Perth, WA
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