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Apunipima midwives win scholarship
Apunipima’s midwives will be able to support expectant mums in more ways
by Juliana Doupe 20 February 2014
F
ive midwives have been given an opportunity to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Screening, Diagnostics, Pharmacology and Prescribing for Midwives from Griffith University, thanks to an $18,750 scholarship from the Australian Government’s Department of Health, administered by the Australian College of Nursing. Midwives who successfully complete their Certificate as well as a Midwifery Peer Review process become eligible to obtain Medicare provider numbers, prescribe limited, appropriate medicine, organise referrals and order obstetric ultrasounds for their clients. “We are excited and honoured to
have won the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship,” Apunipima Maternal and Child Health Team Program Manager Rachel Sargeant said. “This qualification will enable us to provide a more complete service to the women of Cape York. Currently only General Practitioners and Nurse Practitioners can conduct blood tests, provide referrals and prescribe medicines. Eligible midwives can also offer these services, meaning remote pregnant women can get referrals and prescriptions regardless of whether a GP/NP is available in their community. It also contributes to continuity of care for women as they can get more services from their midwife than before. “Apunipima is committed to the professional development
of its staff as it means better care for our clients. Five of our midwives will be undertaking the Postgraduate Certificate thanks to this scholarship and we are excited about increasing our skills, enhancing our service and providing greater continuity of care to our clients.” The midwives will undertake their postgraduate study this year during Semester 1. The Australian College of Nursing, Australia’s professional organisation for all nurses, is proud to work with the Department of Health as the fund administrator for this scholarship program. For more information on the Australian Government Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme visit www.acn. edu.au.
National NAIDOC Poster Competition and nominations for the National NAIDOC Awards are now open. Forms are available online at www.naidoc.org.au or at your nearest Indigenous Coordination Centre. Poster competition entries close Friday 28 March. Award nominations close Wednesday 23 April.
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