Midwife scarcity ‘grave’

Press, 12 December 1980, Page 6

Midwife scarcity ‘grave’

The shortage of midwives in the South Island is causing “grave” concern to the chief nursing officer of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, Miss Brenda Brankin. Miss Brankin has told the board that because no-one with midwifery training would graduate from polytechnic courses in the South Island this year, the position looked grave. The board has relied almost completely on its own midwifery graduates to staff its obstetric units, but this training was taken over this year by the polytechnics.

Miss Brankin suggested that the board should consider reviewing the two-year bond which deters some trained nurses applying for midwifery posts. One method to relieve the shortage may be to recruit midwives from overseas. “I am certainly giving priority to overseas applicants who have New Zealand midwifery registration,” she said. Efforts made recently by principal nurses to encourage nurses to apply for the maternal and child care course with midwifery option (at Christchurch Polytechnic) had not been re-

ceived well, Miss Brankin said.

“Many nurses said they plan to do it in Australia. From forms being received, this does appear to be a trend.”

“In the past, our area has never had what one could consider a shortage of midwives apart from country hospital areas, and to meet these vacancies staff have transferred either temporarily or permanently. This may not be possible when city hospitals are now looking for midwives, and this does worry me," Miss Brankin said.