The number of endorsed midwives in Australia has doubled in the last four years. There are now 1,500 of us. It’s clearly the way lots of midwives want to work, it’s key to retaining some of us in the workforce and we are vital to ensuring all women can access the care of their choice too – a goal we continue to strive towards. Hear about some of the updates and changes in our space, because there have been a few big ones that we’ve long advocated for, particularly around MBS items and professional indemnity insurance.

Afternoon hosted by Kristy Watson and Alison Weatherstone.
Working Collaboratively Panel - Dr Natalie Elphinstone & Lauren Williams
Hosted by Kristy Watson ACM Midwifery Advisor, our panel features Dr Natalie Elphinstone, an Obstetrician working both privately and publicly on the south-east coast of Australia. She believes in encouraging women and families to make individual choices that feel right for them and has supported women along a variety of birth experiences including planned homebirth to Maternal Assisted Caesarean.

And Lauren Williams, a Private Practising Endorsed Midwife who has held a number of clinical and leadership positions in her 20 years as a midwife. Lauren advocates for collaborative partnerships and diversity of thought, and has a passion for family-centred care.

Setting up a practice - Jaimee Smith
Some midwives choose to become endorsed so that they can set up their own practice. Jaimee is an endorsed privately practicing midwife who works out of the Launceston Birth Centre, the oldest independent birth house in Australia. Jaimee also has a midwifery mentoring and coaching business (The Midwives’ Midwife) where she offers 1:1 midwifery mentorship for midwives wanting to transition into private practice.

Admitting Rights - Andrea Quanchi
Andrea has been a midwife for 40 years and in private practice for 25. Andrea became the first midwife in Victoria to be credentialled and understands well how having an endorsement for scheduled medicines has enhanced her role as a midwife both in private practice and as an employee in public hospital roles.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Panel - Caitlin Fehring, Lyn Byers and Kara Williams.
Hosted by Aya Emery, ACM Midwifery Advisor this panel features Nurse and Midwife, Caitlin Fehring who is passionate about ensuring all women and gender identifying individuals have equitable access to sexual and reproductive health care regardless of geographical location within the public health sector.

Lyn Byers who is a midwife and remote area nurse practitioner. Lyn has worked clinically in very remote Central Australia for 25 years, chair’s the editorial committee for the Remote Primary Health Care Manuals which includes the Minymaku Kutju Tjukurpa Women's Business Manual and teaches sexual and reproductive health through Family Planning NT and SHINE.

And Midwife Kara Williams who has also completed a Masters of Primary Maternity Care. She is currently involved in the Australian College of Midwives Sexual and Reproductive Health Working Group.

Pathology and Diagnostic Imaging Results in My Health Record: New Legislation - Australian Digital Health Agency - Nicola Graham
As endorsed midwives, it’s vital that we all understand how the changes to the government legislation mandating uploads to My Health Record for pathology & diagnostic imaging results will impact our clinical practices. Nicola is a manager in the education team with the Australian Digital Health Agency and has management experience in both Medical Practice and Community Pharmacy. In this role she coordinates support and education services for private and public hospitals, Aboriginal Medical Services, healthcare organisations and Primary Health Networks.