The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) welcomes the appointment of long standing member and prior ACM Board Director Donna Garland to the newly established role of NSW Chief Midwife.
The creation of this vital role, providing midwifery leadership and advancing maternity care for the families of NSW, was a key recommendation of the 2023 Birth Trauma Inquiry. Donna’s expertise across midwifery, leadership and development makes her perfectly placed to drive the Inquiry’s vision for respectful, compassionate, trauma-informed and culturally safe care.
ACM Chief Midwife Kelley Lennon welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of strong midwifery leadership in NSW. “Midwifery leadership is essential to ensure women are provided with the maternity care of their choice, close to home. In demand and evidence based models of care such as midwifery group practice and publicly funded homebirth have the opportunity to be expanded under Donna’s leadership.”
Midwifery researcher and advocate Professor Hannah Dahlen AM who provided key evidence to the Birth Trauma Inquiry also welcomed the appointment. “Donna’s appointment is a step in the right direction towards systemic change in NSW. It’s vital that all women receive individualised, respectful maternity care.”
Donna Garland said it’s a privilege to be appointed as the inaugural Chief Midwife for NSW. “I look forward to working closely with midwives across the state to strengthen midwifery practice, support workforce development, and ensure women and families receive safe, high-quality, evidence-based care.”
ACM looks forward to working closely with Donna in her new role to progress the priorities of the Birth Trauma Inquiry, focus on building a strong midwifery workforce, and to strengthen midwifery leadership across NSW. ACM is committed to supporting initiatives that expand access to continuity of care models and improve outcomes for women, babies, and families.
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