NOTICE OF SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND RELATED QUALIFICATIONS
PRESCRIBED BY THE MIDWIFERY COUNCIL
The Midwifery Council ("the Council") will assume its full responsibilities under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 ("the Act") on 18 September 2004. This notice takes effect from that date.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE: MIDWIFE
Pursuant to section 11 (1) of the Act, the Council specifies the Midwifery Scope of Practice as follows:
A midwife works in partnership with women on her own professional responsibility, to give women the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period up to six weeks, to facilitate births and to provide care for the newborn.
A midwife understands, promotes and facilitates the physiological processes of pregnancy and childbirth, identifies complications that may arise in mother and baby, accesses appropriate medical assistance and implements emergency measures as necessary. When women require referral, a midwife provides midwifery care in collaboration with other health professionals.
A midwife has an important role in health and wellness promotion and education for the woman, her family and the community. Midwifery practice involves informing and preparing the woman and her family for pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenthood and includes certain aspects of women's health, family planning and infant well-being.
A midwife may practise in any setting, including the home, the community, hospitals or in any other maternity service. In all settings a midwife remains responsible and accountable for the care she provides.
Qualifications Prescribed for Registration in the Midwifery Scope of Practice
Pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the following qualifications are prescribed for registration as a midwife:
1. New Zealand Midwifery Graduates
a. Completion of an approved Bachelor degree in Midwifery (minimum of three years' duration) provided by an accredited educational provider in
New Zealand; and
b. Demonstration of the Competencies for entry to the Register of Midwives; and
c. A pass in the National Midwifery Examination set by the Midwifery Council.
2. Registered Midwives Applying from All Other Countries
a. A midwifery qualification, post-registration practise in midwifery, post registration midwifery education and midwifery competence portfolio, which, considered as a whole, are deemed by the Midwifery Council as equivalent in content and competencies to the current New Zealand qualifications for registration; and
b. Current or past registration as a midwife with a midwifery registration authority in the same country of registration as where that Midwife's initial qualification was completed.

Dated at Wellington this 13th day of August 2004
SUSAN YORKE, Registrar, Midwifery Council