The art of student continuity experience

The Logan and Beaudesert Hospital Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) Queensland is an all risk midwifery model of care with a specific objective to care for vulnerable and socially disadvantaged women.Working through adversity has been a challenging journey which has positively influenced midwives practice and professional growth. This journeybeganwithmajor changes inMidwifery management leading to instability in leadership, a decrease inmidwifery autonomy, withdrawal of medical support and attempts to close the service. This caused emotional stress within the MGP and attempts to improve the situation, with support from the Queesland Nurses Union (QNU) were unsuccessful. This led to long term sick leave, work cover claims, discontinued care of women, a reduction in midwives, a change in the remaining midwifery culture, loss of income and emotional distress. Women were affected by withdrawal of their midwifery model of care which also caused them emotional stress. This significantly influenced their decision making processes for their births and affected their outcomes as well as the service statistics. Midwives worked together to challenge the adversity they faced. Professional and consumer bodies such as the Australian College of Midwives, Maternity Coalition, Midwives Australia and the QNU assisted Midwives to negotiate with management. The midwives wrote to and visited Members of Parliament and met with the Health Minister which led to meetings with management, an external review of the service and an improvement in Midwifery leadership. Supporting each other and standing strong helped strengthen the midwives passion for midwifery. It empowered them to return to work and continue promoting professional midwifery practice. Many midwives have improved the workplace culture, supported new graduate positions, gained eligibility, prescribing rights and commenced private practice. These efforts have also led to a Health Minister promise to return birthing to Beaudesert Hospital by 2014. Overcoming adversity has developed stronger more empowered midwives significantly benefiting them and the women in their care.