Call for mandatory supervision of new midwives sparks row over data [New Zealand]
Posted almost 10 years ago by Nicholas M Perrino
"GP and women's health expert Bev Lawton is calling on the Government to urgently review New Zealand's maternity training system and consider implementing tough supervision rules for new midwives.
Dr Lawton wants to see mandatory clinical supervision for newly-graduated midwives for up to two years in hospital followed by a supervised year in the community for independent midwives. Currently there is no requirement for supervision in the first years after graduation for midwife-only midwives, although a compulsory mentorship programme was introduced from 2011.
University of Otago researchers, led by Dr Lawton, say they have found strong evidence that levels of midwifery experience in New Zealand are associated with baby mortality. The study has been published today in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
But the study has been heavily criticised by the New Zealand College of Midwives, which says it relies on incorrect and outdated data and flawed methodology."