International Day of the Midwife

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) says International Day of the Midwife today allows us all to recognise the dedication and commitment of Australia’s hard-working midwives.
“This is a special day which acknowledges and celebrates the invaluable healthcare midwives continue to deliver every day and night to women, their babies and families,” ANMF Federal Secretary, Lee Thomas, said today.
“We should all mark the International Day of the Midwife by taking a moment to reflect on the extraordinary contribution midwives make to Australia’s health system.”
Ms Thomas said the International Day of the Midwife also highlighted the increasing demand placed on Australia’s midwives at a time of ongoing workforce shortages.
“Governments across the country must work together to find funding strategies to ensure we have a sustainable midwifery workforce now and into the future,” Ms Thomas explained.
“With a baby born every 1 and a half minutes in Australia, it is crucial we replace the current generation of midwives who are set to retire over the next 20 years with educated, local graduate midwives who are the midwifery leaders of tomorrow.”