Australia faces a midwifery "crisis" with more than a third of workers considering leaving the profession and graduate numbers potentially not meeting future demand. or signup to continue reading Those are the findings from a report commissioned by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia which surveyed more than 3000 midwives, 300 students and 70 educators. The report found there were widespread localised staff shortfalls, particularly in non-metropolitan areas.
Only two per cent of midwives in managerial roles said their maternity services were fully staffed with midwives. More than half said staff turnover was greater than the COVID-19 pandemic and 84 per cent described recruiting as difficult or very difficult. The board said the report, which has made 32 recommendations for reform, was proof Australia's midwifery stocks are in crisis.
"Midwives play a vital role in maternity care at the most precious time," board chair and adjunct professor Veronica Casey said. "They now need urgent support to ensure they can continue to be everywhere they are needed." Almost 37 per cent of surveyed midwives indicated they were considering leaving the profession, with seven in 10 potential "leavers" under the age of 50.
"This is concerning, as it represents a significant loss of workforce potential," the report said. "While some indicators suggest adequate workforce numbers, other data suggest a current and predicted shortfall." If all potential "leavers" departed the job, 13,000 stu.
