12.11.2005
| By Rachel Tiffen
Two new specialist positions in Tauranga Hospital's maternity ward are to be advertised - triggered by feelings of a lack of support, education and recognition among its midwives. The move comes as health services around the country report a "maternity crisis", or extreme shortage of midwives for expectant mothers. While Tauranga midwives say they are well staffed compared with other regions, they agree the profession as a whole is "in a crisis". It is understood the maternity ward plans to appoint a clinical midwife adviser soon, as well as a midwife educator. |
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Tauranga midwives have expressed concern over a perceived lack of clinical leadership within the department, and want a greater emphasis on rotating staff around core divisions and upskilling. Many feel unsupported and undervalued as professionals. Hospital staff and midwives spoken to by the Bay of Plenty Times were unsure when the new positions would be advertised, but confirmed they were going ahead. "Basically there is just one person pushing all the bits of paper around at the moment," said one long-time midwife who wished to remain anonymous. Another said: "I know there is a great deal of concern expressed by hospital staff about management of the maternity unit." But she stressed mothers were not being put at risk. Midwifery unit manager Ann Sligo refused to comment. Director of obstetrics and gynaecology, Dr Richard Speed, knew the positions were on the cards but was not sure when they would be publicised. "I wasn't aware it was official but had heard rumours it was about to happen," he said. However, Dr Speed was aware of a feeling of discontent among midwives and said several issues raised were being addressed by the hospital. He said hospital midwives were often put under pressure, but that was part and parcel of the job. "It is not undue pressure but there are times they are expected to be at two places at one time. "That happens at any place and would occur in other departments." Health Board communications manager Michelle Gray said she was aware of the new positions but could not say when they would eventuate. In an anonymous email to the Bay Times, a woman claiming to be a former midwife called for an independent review of the unit. The woman said she was employed by the hospital earlier in the year but resigned owing to her "dissatisfaction with the clinical management and the risk this posed to midwifery practice". She claimed to know, through contact with midwives still working there, that the issues still existed. The woman strongly advocated the appointment of a head of department or clinical director, which may be addressed through the soon-to-be-advertised "clinical midwife adviser". The email called for a focus on retention of staff rather than recruitment. The women claimed a high turnover of staff in the hospital was putting undue pressure on long-serving employees. However, the key issue highlighted was a feeling among midwives of being undervalued and disregarded as professionals. "I am advised that current management does not value and treat the highly experienced hospital-based midwives as professionals," she wrote. The letter also said the hospital's post-natal unit relied too heavily on obstetric nurses and enrolled nurses, often placing undue pressure and responsibly on midwives consequently left in sole-charge of the maternity ward. It is understood this will be addressed through the hiring of more staff. Another midwife at the hospital, welcomed the new position but said it had to be accompanied by support and respect. "They need some way of supporting this person or there's no point in having the position. There's no point in just saying 'We will call you a midwife adviser' and not supporting it." |
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From: brendamanning [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, 18 November 2005 9:04 AM
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Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/ Story - Help on way for hospital's discontented midwives
