Keynote presentation: The future of midwifery workforce in Australia
| Friday, July 19, 2024 |
| 9:10 AM - 9:55 AM |
| Waterfront Rooms 1, 2, and 3 |
| Sponsored By: |
Speaker
Assoc Prof Zoe Bradfield
Associate Professor of Midwifery
Curtin University
The future of midwifery workforce in Australia
Abstract
Health workforce numbers around the world are at critically low levels. The latest State of the World’s Midwifery report indicates a predicted need for an additional 900,000 midwives by 2030. Current midwifery workforce shortages are being met with a range of approaches to increasing retention and reducing attrition. In Australia, national reviews commissioned by policy makers and regulators have been undertaken in the last 12 months with reports pending.
The urgency to address midwifery shortages have resulted in many of the conversations being centred around how can we recruit and retain more of the same? If we’ve learned anything from the recent global pandemic, it’s that crisis provides an opportunity to question and challenge the way things have always been done.
There have been clear signals in the health workforce market that ‘status quo’ is not sustainable. Midwifery is no different. This presentation will provide space to challenge thinking about what is needed to ensure a sustainable midwifery workforce for the future.
The urgency to address midwifery shortages have resulted in many of the conversations being centred around how can we recruit and retain more of the same? If we’ve learned anything from the recent global pandemic, it’s that crisis provides an opportunity to question and challenge the way things have always been done.
There have been clear signals in the health workforce market that ‘status quo’ is not sustainable. Midwifery is no different. This presentation will provide space to challenge thinking about what is needed to ensure a sustainable midwifery workforce for the future.
Biography
Dr Zoe Bradfield is an Associate Professor of Midwifery with a joint appointment between Curtin University and the Women and Newborn Health Service in Western Australia; she also holds an Honorary Appointment at the Burnet Institute in Victoria and the University of Western Australia. Zoe has worked as a nurse and a midwife across a variety of rural and metropolitan settings for over 20 years; and as an academic for the last 11 years. Her research focuses on clinical care and health systems innovations to improve outcomes for women, their families, and society. Her translational and transformational programs have received several high-impact awards. Zoe is the President of the Australian College of Midwives, the peak professional body for midwifery in Australia.
Chairperson
Kathleen Baird
Head of School Nursing and Midwifery
University of Technology Sydney
