Midwives Council of Hong Kong launches Voluntary Scheme on Advancement on Midwifery Practice
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A currently employed registered midwife in Hong Kong, who has obtained a Masters degree in midwifery; or has obtained a Masters degree in health related stream and completed a total of 60 hours of specialised midwifery courses; or is a fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing in the specialty of Midwifery who was admitted in 2012, 2013 or 2014; or is a fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing in the specialty of Midwifery who has obtained a Masters degree in health related stream; and also possesses six years of full time post-registration experience in midwifery practice immediately prior to his/her application, can apply for recognition as an advanced practice midwife.
Having considered the latest developments of the advanced and specialised practice of healthcare professions, the Council recognised that it is a global trend to promote advanced midwifery practice. To shoulder the responsibility for the professional development of midwives and pave the way for setting up a statutory registration system for an advanced midwifery practice in the long run, the Council decided to formulate and implement the Scheme. A Working Group on Advancement on Midwifery Practice, comprising Council members and representatives from midwifery training institution, major employers of registered midwives as well as midwifery organisations, was formed under the Council for the Scheme in May 2018.
Given the complexity of advancement on midwifery practice, the working group conducted regular meetings normally on a bi-monthly basis. It conducted extensive research on the work and practices of an advanced midwifery practice at both global and local levels. To define clearly the scope and competencies of advanced practice midwives, the working group developed the "Scope of Midwifery Practice" and "Competencies of Advanced Practice Midwives" for reference.
To ensure that views from stakeholders were taken into consideration throughout the course of formulation of the Scheme, an online briefing was organised for the stakeholders on December 15, 2020. A two-month consultation exercise was also conducted from December 15, 2020, to February 14, 2021. Having consolidated views collected during the consultation period, the Council submitted a proposal on the implementation of the Scheme to the Food and Health Bureau in July 2021, and support was granted by the Food and Health Bureau in November 2021 for implementation of the Scheme.
Applications for recognition as advanced practice midwives are now being accepted. Details of the Scheme are available at the Council's website (www.mwchk.org.hk/english/voluntary_scheme/index.html). For enquiries concerning the Scheme and the application procedure, please contact the Council Secretariat by phone at 2527 8553 or by email at pa1_nmc@dh.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, January 21, 2022
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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