September 1st 2024.
Great news for expecting mothers in Victoria! As of today, midwives in the state will have an expanded scope of medication they can prescribe for their maternity patients. This exciting development was announced by Victoria Health Minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, who believes it will have a positive impact on the quality of care for expecting mothers.
Under the new Ministerial Approval, endorsed midwives with at least three years of clinical practice will now have the authority to prescribe pain relief, anaesthetics, and abortion medication for their patients. This is a significant change from the previous restrictions imposed by the former Liberal National Government back in 2012.
To qualify for this privilege, authorised midwives must have a minimum of three years of full-time clinical practice and have completed graduate education and training in prescribing Schedule 2, 3, 4, and 8 medicines. These include over-the-counter medicines, local anesthetics, antibiotics, and strong analgesics.
Minister Thomas emphasized the importance of this change, acknowledging the hard work and skills of midwives in Victoria. She also highlighted the positive impact it will have on regional Victorians who often have to travel long distances for necessary medical care, such as abortion procedures.
One of the most significant benefits of this change is the expanded options it provides for women in regional Victoria who may struggle to access timely abortion care. With endorsed midwives now able to prescribe the necessary medications, expecting mothers will have more choices and better access to the care they need.
Nicole Allen, the Maternity Services Officer at Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, expressed her excitement about this development. She believes that this change will allow midwives to provide more comprehensive care for their patients by prescribing pain medication during labour, antibiotics for infections, and breastfeeding medications.
Overall, this change is a significant step forward in recognizing the essential role of midwives in the healthcare system. It not only expands their scope of practice but also improves access to necessary medications for expecting mothers in Victoria.
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