Legal and ethical issues in midwifery: Codes and standards

Question 1

Midwifery standards for practice: Standard 1

Answer 1

Promotes health and wellbeing through evidence-based midwifery practice.
1.1 Identifies what is important for woman as
the foundation for using evidence to
promote self-determination
1.2 Uses the best available evidence
1.3 Health assessment and education
1.4 Ongoing reflection
1.5 Supports access
1.6 Supports evidence-based health initiatives and programs.
1.7 Uses our role to influence better health outcomes

Question 2

Midwifery standards for practice: Standard 2

Answer 2

Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships.
2.1 Supports the choices of women
2.2 Partners with women
2.3 Practices ethically
2.4 Practices without discrimination
2.5 Practices cultural safety
2.6 Practices in a way that respects the health of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2.7 Maintains professional relationships
2.8 Collaborative practice.

Question 3

Midwifery standards for practice: Standard 3

Answer 3

Demonstrates the capability and accountability for midwifery practice
3.1 Understands their scope of practice
3.2 Practices within relevant legal parameters, professional standards, codes and guidelines.
3.3 Participates in professional development
3.4 Support learning and teaching.
3.5 Timely consultation, referral and documentation.
3.6 Identify and manage complexity and risk.
3.7 Recognizes where safety is compromised
3.8 Considers the health and wellbeing of self and others

Question 4

Midwifery standards for practice: Standard 4

Answer 4

Undertakes comprehensive assessments
4.1 Determine factors that affects women’s health and wellbeing.
4.2 Systematically collect information
4.3 Analyses information and data and
communicates assessments
4.4 Assess the resources available

Question 5

Midwifery standards for practice: Standard 5

Answer 5

Develops a plan for midwifery practice
5.1 Interprets evidence to make a plan for practice
5.2 Develops a plan with the woman.
5.3 Allocate resources effectively
5.4 Documents, evaluates and modifies plans.

Question 6

Midwifery standards for practice: Standard 6

Answer 6

Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice
6.1 Contributes to quality improvement
and research
6.2 Meet the needs of the woman.
6.3 Consult, refer and escalate where needed.
6.4 Provides and accepts timely direction,
allocation, teaching and supervision

Question 7

Midwifery standards for practice: Standard 7

Answer 7

Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice.
7.1 Evaluates and monitors progress
7.2 Revises plan and actions
7.3 Uses evaluation to inform future practice

Question 8

Code of ethics I Midwifery relationships

Answer 8

a. Midwives develop a partnership with women - share relevant information - leads to informed decision-making - consent - accept responsibility
b. Midwives support the right of women/families to participate actively in decisions about their care.
c. Midwives empower women/families to speak for themselves on issues affecting the health of women and families within their culture/society.
d. Midwives, together with women, work with policy and funding agencies to define women’s needs for health services and to ensure that resources are fairly allocated considering priorities and availability.
e. Midwives support and sustain each other in their professional roles, and actively nurture their own and others’ sense of self-worth.
f. Midwives respectfully work with other health professionals, consulting and referring as necessary when the woman’s need for care exceeds the competencies of the midwife.
g. Midwives recognise the human interdependence within their field of practice and actively seek to resolve inherent conflicts.
h. Midwives have responsibilities to themselves as persons of moral worth, including duties of moral self-respect and the preservation of integrity.

Question 9

Code of ethics II Practice of midwifery

Answer 9

a. Midwives provide care for women and childbearing families with respect for cultural diversity while also working to eliminate harmful practices within those same cultures.
b. Midwives encourage the minimum expectation that no woman or girl should be harmed by conception or childbearing.
c. Midwives use up-to-date, evidence-based professional knowledge to maintain competence in safe midwifery practices in all environments and cultures.
d. Midwives respond to the psychological, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of women seeking health care, whatever their circumstances.
e. Midwives act as effective role models of health promotion for women throughout their life cycle, for families and for other health professionals.
f. Midwives actively seek personal, intellectual and professional growth throughout their midwifery career, integrating this growth into their practice.

Question 10

Code of ethics III. The professional responsibilities of midwives.

Answer 10

a. Midwives hold in confidence client information in order to protect the right to privacy and use judgment in sharing this information except when mandated by law.
b. Midwives are responsible for their decisions and actions and are accountable for the related outcomes in their care of women.
c. Midwives may decide not to participate in activities for which they hold deep moral opposition; however, the emphasis on individual conscience should not deprive women of essential health services.
d. Midwives with conscientious objection to a given service request will refer the woman to another provider where such a service can be provided.
e. Midwives understand the adverse consequences that ethical and human rights violations have on the health of women and infants and will work to eliminate these violations.
f. Midwives participate in the development and implementation of health policies that promote the health of all women and childbearing families.

Question 11

Code of ethics IV, Advancement of Midwifery Knowledge and practice

Answer 11

a. Midwives ensure that the advancement of midwifery knowledge is based on activities that protect the rights of women as persons.
b. Midwives develop and share midwifery knowledge through a variety of processes, such as peer review and research.
c. Midwives contribute to the formal education of midwifery students and ongoing education of midwives.

Question 12

Code of conduct for midwives: Principle 1 Legal compliance.

Answer 12

Value: Midwives respect and adhere to professional obligations under the National Law and abide by relevant laws.

Question 13

Code of conduct for midwives: Principle 1 Legal compliance. 1.1 Obligations

Answer 13

1.1 Obligations. Midwives must be aware of their obligations under the national law including reporting requirements and meeting registration standards.
a. Abide by any reporting obligations under the National Law and other relevant legislation.
b. Inform the Australian Health Practioner Regulation Agency and their employers if a legal or regulatory entity has imposed restrictions on their practice, including limitations, conditions, undertakings, suspension, cautions or reprimands and recognised that a breach of any restriction would place the public at risk and may constitute unprofessional conduct of professional misconduct.
c. Complete the required amount of continuing professional development relevant to their context of practice.
d. Ensure their practice is appropriately covered by professional indemnity insurance.
e. Inform Ahpra of charges, please and convictions relating to criminal offences.

Question 14

Code of conduct for midwives: Principle 1 Legal compliance. 1.2 Lawful behavior

Answer 14

1.2 Lawful behaviour. Midwives practice honestly and ethically and should not engage in unlawful behaviour as it may affect their practice and/or damage the reputation of the profession.
a. Respect the midwife-woman professional relationship by not taking possessions and/or property that belong to the woman and/or her family.
b. Comply with relevant poisons legislation, authorisation, local policy and own scope of practice, including to safely use, administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply and store medications and other therapeutic products.
c. Not participate in unlawful behaviour and understand that unlawful behaviour may be viewed as unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct and have implications for their registration.
d. Understand that making frivolous or vexatious complaints may be viewed as unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct and have implications for their registration.

Question 15

Code of conduct for midwives: Principle 1 Legal compliance. 1.3 Mandatory reporting

Answer 15

Caring for those who are vulnerable brings legislative responsibilities for midwives including the need to abide by relevant mandatory reporting requirements as they apply across individual states and territories.
a. Abide by the relevant mandatory reporting legislation that is imposed to protect groups that are particularly at risk, including reporting obligations about the aged, child abused and neglect and remaining alert to the newborn and infants who may be at risk.
b. Remain alert to other groups who may be vulnerable and at risk of physical harm and sexual exploitation and act on welfare concerns where appropriate.

Question 16

Code of conduct for midwives: Principle 2 Woman-centred practice

Answer 16

Value: Midwives provide safe, woman-centred, evidence-based practice for the health and wellbeing of women and, in partnership with the woman, promote shared decision-making and care delivery between the woman, nominated partners, family, friends and health professionals.

Question 17

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 2 woman-centred practice. 2.1 Midwifery practice.

Answer 17

Midwives apply woman-centred and evidence-based decision-making and have a responsibility to ensure the delivery of safe and quality care.
a. Practice in accordance with the standards of the profession and broader health system
b. Provide leadership to ensure the delivery of safe and quality care and understand their professional responsibility to protect women, ensuring employees comply with their obligations
c. document and report concerns if they believe the practice environment is compromising the health and safety of women receiving care.

Question 18

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 2 woman-centred practice. 2.2 Decision making.

Answer 18

Making decisions about healthcare is the share responsibility of the woman, the midwife and other health professionals. Midwives should create and foster conditions that promote shared decision-making and collaborative practice
a. Take a woman-centred approach to managing a woman’s care and concerns, supporting the woman a manner consistent with that woman’s values and preferences.
b. advocate on behalf of the woman where necessary and recognise when substitute decision-makers are needed.
c. supports the right of women to seek second and/or subsequent opinions or the right to refuse treatment/care
d. recognise that care may be provided to the same woman by different midwives, and by other members of the healthcare team, at various times.
e. recognise and work within their scope of practice which is determined by their education, training, authorisation, competence, qualifications and experience, in accordance with local policy.
f. recognise when an activity is not within their scope of practice and refer women to another health practioner when this is in the best interests of the woman receiving care.
g. takes reasonable steps to ensure any woman to whom a midwife delegates, refers or hands over care has the qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills and scope of practice to provide the care needed.
h. recognise that their context of practice can influence decision-making. This includes the type and location of practice setting, the characteristics of the woman receiving care, the focus of midwifery activities, the degree to which practice is autonomous and the resources available.

Question 19

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 2 woman-centred practice. 2.3 Informed consent.

Answer 19

Informed consent is a woman’s voluntary agreement to healthcare, which is made with knowledge and understanding of the potential benefits and risks involved.
a. supports the provision of information to the woman about her care in a way and/or in a language they can understand, through the utilisation of translating and interpreting services, when necessary. This includes information on examinations and investigations, as well as treatments.
b. give the woman adequate time to ask questions, make decisions and to refuse care, interventions, investigations and treatments, and proceed in accordance with the woman’s choice, considering local policy.
c. act according to the woman’s capacity for decision-making and consent, including when caring for children and young people, based on her maturity and capacity to understand, and the nature of the proposed care.
d. obtains informed consent or other valid authority before carrying out an examination or investigation, provide treatment, or involving women in teaching or research.
e. informs the woman of the benefit as well as associated costs or risks, if referring the woman for further assessment, investigations or treatments, which they may want to clarify before proceeding.

Question 20

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 2 woman-centred practice. 2.4 Adverse events and open disclosure.

Answer 20

When a woman is harmed by healthcare, midwives have responsibilities to be open and honest in communicating with the woman, to review what happened, and to report the event in a timely manner, and in accordance with local policy.
a. recognise and reflect on what happened and report the incident.
b. act immediately to rectify the problem if possible and intervene directly if it is needed to protect the woman’s safety. Including escalating concerns if needed.
c. abides by the principles of open disclosure and non-punitive approaches to incident management.
d. identifies the most appropriate healthcare team member to provide an apology and an explanation to the woman, as promptly and completely as possible, that supports open disclosure principles
e. listens to the woman, acknowledge any distress they experienced and provide support. In some cases, it may be advisable to refer the woman to another midwife or health professional.
f. ensure woman have access to information about how to make a complaint, and that in doing so, not allow a compliant or notification to negatively affect the care they provide.
g. seek advice from their employer, their professional indemnity insurer, or other relevant bodies, if they are unsure about their obligations.

Question 21

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 3 Cultural practice and respectful relationships

Answer 21

Value: Midwives engage with women as individuals in a culturally safe and respectful way, foster open, honest and compassionated professional relationships, and adhere to their obligations about privacy and confidentiality.

Question 22

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 3 Cultural practice and respectful relationships. 3.1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health

Answer 22

a. provide care that is holistic, free of bias and racism, challenges belief based upon assumption and is culturally safe and respectful for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
b. advocate for and act to facilitate acccess to quality and culturally safe health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
c. recognise the importance of family, community, partnership and collaboration in the healthcare decision-making of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Question 23

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 3 Cultural practice and respectful relationships. 3.2 Culturally safe and respectful practice

Answer 23

Culturally safe and respectful practice requires having knowledge of how a midwives’ own culture, values, attitudes, assumptions and beliefs influence their interactions with women and families, the community and colleagues.
a. understands that only the woman and/or her family can determine whether or not care is culturally safe and respectful.
b. respects diverse cultures, beliefs, gender identifies, sexualities and experiences of women and others, including among team members
c. acknowledges the social, economic, cultural, historic and behavioral factors influencing health, both at the individual community and population levels.
d. adopts practices that respect diversity, avoid bias, discrimination and racism, and challenge belief based upon assumption.
e. support an inclusive environment for the safety and security of the individual woman and her family and/or significant others
f. creates a positive, culturally safe work environment through role modelling, and supporting the rights, dignity and safety of others, including women and colleagues.

Question 24

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 3 Cultural practice and respectful relationships. 3.3 effective communication

Answer 24

Positive professional relationships are built on effective communication that is respectful, kind, compassionate and honest
a. be aware of health literacy issues and take health literacy into account when communicating with women.
b. makes arrangements, whenever possible, to meet the specific language, cultural, and communication needs of women and their families through the utilisation of translating and interpreting services where necessary and be aware of how these needs affect understanding
c. endeavor to confirm the woman understands any information communicated to them
d. clearly and accurately communicates relevant and timely information about the woman to colleagues, within the bounds of relevant privacy requirements
e. be non-judgmental and not refer to women in a non-professional manner verbally or in correspondence/records, including refraining from behaviour that may be interpreted as bullying or harassment and/or culturally unsafe.

Question 25

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 3 Cultural practice and respectful relationships. 3.4 Bullying and harassment

Answer 25

When people repeatedly and intentionally use words or actions against someone or a group of people, it causes distress and risks their wellbeing. Midwives understand that bullying and harassment relating to their practice or workplace is not acceptable or tolerated and that where it is affecting public safety it may have implications for their registration.
a. never engages in, ignore or excuse such behaviour
b. recognise that bullying and harassment takes many forms, including behaviours such as physical and verbal abuse, racism, discrimination, violence, aggression, humiliation, pressure in decision-making, exclusion and intimidation directed towards peoples or colleagues.
c. understand social media is sometimes used as a mechanism to bully or harass, and that midwives should not engage in, ignore or excuse such behaviour.
d. act to eliminate bullying and harassment, in all its forms, in the workplace
e. escalates their concerns in an appropriate response does not occur.

Question 26

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 3 Cultural practice and respectful relationships. 3.5 Confidentiality and privacy

Answer 26

Midwives have ethical and legal obligations to protect the privacy of women. Women have a right to expect that midwives will hold information about them in confidence, unless the release of information is needed by law, legally justifiable under public interest considerations or is required to facilitate emergency care.
a. respect the confidentiality and privacy of women by seeking informed consent before disclosing information, including formally documenting such consent where possible
b. provides surroundings to enable private and confidential consultations and discussions, particularly when working with multiple women at the same time, or in a shared space.
c. abides by the NMBA’s and to ensure use of social media is consistent with the midwife’s ethical and legal obligations to protect privacy.
d. access records only when professionally involved in the care of the woman and authorised to do so.
e. don’t transmit, share, reproduce or post any woman’s information or images, even if the woman is not directly named or identified, without having first gained written and informed consent.
f. recognise the woman’s right to access information contained in thier health records, facilitate that access and promptly facilitate the transfer of health information when requested by the woman, in accordance with local policy
g. when closing or relocating a practice, facilitating arrangements for the transfer or management of all health records in accordance with the legislation governing privacy and health records.

Question 27

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 3 Cultural practice and respectful relationships. 3.6 End of life care

Answer 27

Midwives have a vital role in helping the community to deal with the reality of death and its consequences.
a. understands the limits of healthcare in prolonging life, and recognise when efforts to prolong life may not be in the best interest of the woman
b. accept that the woman has the right to refuse treatment, or to request withdrawal or treatment, while ensuring the woman receives relief from distress.
c. respect diverse cultural practices and beliefs related to death and dying
d. facilitates advance care planning and provision of end-of-life care where relevant and in accordance with local policy and legislation
e. takes reasonable steps to ensure support is provided to the woman and her family, even when it is not possible to deliver the outcome they desire.

Question 28

Code of conduct for midwives: Principle 4 Professional behaviour

Answer 28

Value: Midwives embody integrity, honesty, respect and compassion.

Question 29

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 4 Professional behaviour. 4.1 Professional boundaries

Answer 29

Professional boundaries allow midwives, the woman and the woman’s nominated partners, family and friends to engage safely and effectively in professional relationships, including where care involves personal and/or intimate contact. In order to maintain professional boundaries, there is a start and end point to the professional relationship, and it is integral to the midwife-woman professional relationship. Adhering to professional boundaries promotes woman-centered practice and protects both parties.
a. recognise the inherent power imbalance that exists between midwives, women in their care and significant others and establish and maintain professional boundaries.
b. actively manages the woman’s expectations and be clear about professional boundaries that must exist in professional relationships for objectivity in care and prepare the woman for when the episode of care ends.
c. avoids the potential conflicts, risks and complexities of providing care to those with whom they have a pre-existing non-professional relationship and ensure that such relationships do not impair their judgement. This is especially relevant for those living and working in small, regional or cultural communities and/or where there is long-term professional, social and/or family engagement.
d. avoids sexual relationships with the woman, her partner and/or members of the woman’s family, with whom they have currently or had previously entered into a professional relationship. These relationships are inappropriate in most circumstances and could be considered unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct.
e. recognise when over-involvement has occurred, and disclose this concern to an appropriate woman, whether this is the woman involved or a colleague
f. reflects on the circumstances surrounding any occurrence of over-involvement, document and report it and engage in management to rectify or manage the situation.
g. in cases where the professional relationship has become compromised or ineffective and ongoing care is needed, facilitate arrangements for the continuing care of the woman to another health practioner.
h. actively address indifference, omission, disengagement/lack of care and disrespect to women that may reflect under-involvement, including escalating the issue to ensure the safety of the woman if necessary.
i. avoids expressing personal beliefs to women in way that exploit the woman’s vulnerability, are likely to cause them unnecessary distress, or may negatively influence their autonomy in decision-making
j. does not participate in physical assault such as striking, unauthorised restraining and/or applying unnecessary force.

Question 30

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 4 Professional behaviour. 4.2 Advertising and professional representation

Answer 30

Midwives must be honest and transparent when describing their education, qualifications, previous occupations and registration status. This includes when midwives are involved in job applications, self-promotion, publishing of documents or web content, public appearances, or advertising or promoting goods or services.
a. complies with legal requirements about advertising outlined in the National Law as well as other relevant Australian state and territory legislation
b. provides only accurate, honest and verifiable information about their registration, experience and qualifications, including any conditions that apply to their registration.
c. only uses the title of midwife if they hold valid registration and/or endorsement
d. never misrepresents by either a false statement or an omission, their registration, experience, qualifications or position.

Question 31

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 4 Professional behaviour. 4.3 Legal, insurance and other assessments

Answer 31

Midwives may be contracted by a third party to provide an assessment of a woman who is not in their care, such as for legal, insurance or other administrative purposes. When this occurs the usual midwife-woman professional relationship does not exist.
a. explains to the woman their professional area of practice, role, and the purpose, nature and extent of the assessment to be performed
b. anticipates and seek to correct any misunderstandings the woman may have about the nature and purpose of the assessment and report
c. informs the woman and/or her referring health professional of any unrecognised, serious problems that are discovered during the assessment, as a matter of duty of care.

Question 32

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 4 Professional behaviour. 4.4 Conflicts of interest

Answer 32

Women rely on the independence and trustworthiness of midwives who provide them with advice or treatment. A conflict of interest arises when a midwife has financial, professional or personal interests or relationships and/or personal beliefs that may affect the care they provide or result in personal gain. Such conflicts may mean the midwife does not priorities the interests of the woman as they should and may be viewed as unprofessional conduct
a. Act with integrity and in the best interests of women when making referrals, and when providing or arranging treatment or care
b. responsibly uses their right to not provide, or participate directly in, treatments to which they have a conscientious objection. In such a situation, midwives must respectfully inform their woman, their employer and other relevant colleagues, of their objection and ensure the woman has alternative care options.
c. proactivley and openly inform the woman if a midwife or their immediate family, has a financial or commercial interest that could be perceived as influencing the care they provide
d. do not offer financial, material or other rewards to encourage others to act in ways that personally benefit the midwife, nor do anything that could be perceived as providing inducements
e. do not allow any financial or commercial interest in any entity providing healthcare services or products to negatively affect the way the woman is treated.

Question 33

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 4 Professional behaviour. 4.5 Financial arrangements and gifts

Answer 33

It is necessary to be honest and transparent with women to ensure there is no perception of actual or personal gain for the midwife.
a. when providing or recommending services, discuss with the woman all fees and charges expected to result from a course of treatment in a manner appropriate to the professional relationship, and not exploit the woman’s vulnerability or lack of knowledge.
b. only accepts token gifts of minimal value that are freely offered and report the gifts in accordance with local policy
c. don’t accept encourage or manipulate the woman to give, lend, or bequeath money or gifts that will benefit a midwife directly or indirectly
d. don’t become financially involved with a woman who has or whole will be in receipt of their care
e. don’t influence the woman or her family to make donations, and where the woman seeks to make a donation.

Question 34

Code of conduct for midwives: Principle 5 Teaching, supervising and assessing

Answer 34

Value: Midwives commit to teaching, supervising and assessing students and other midwives in order to develop the midwifery workforce across all contexts of practice.

Question 35

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 5 teaching, supervising and assessing. 5.1 Teaching and supervising

Answer 35

It is the responsibility of all midwives to create opportunities for midwifery students and midwives under supervision to learn, as well as benefit from oversight and feeding. Supervisor must;
a. Seek to develop the skills, attitudes and practices of an effective teacher and/or supervisor
b. reflects on the ability, competence and learning needs of each student or midwife who they teach or supervise and plan teaching and supervision activities accordingly.
c. avoids where possible, any potential conflicts of interest in teaching or supervision relationships that may impair objectivity or interfere with the supervised person’s learning outcomes or experience. This includes, for example, not supervising somebody with whom they have a pre-existing non-professional relationship.

Question 36

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 5 teaching, supervising and assessing. 5.2 Assessing colleagues and students

Answer 36

Assessing colleagues and students is an important part of making sure that the highest standard of practice is achieved across the profession. In assessing the competence and performance of colleagues or students.
a. be honest, objective, fair, without bias and constructive and not put women at risk of harm by inaccurate and inadequate assessment
b. provides accurate and justifiable information promptly and include all relevant information when giving references or writing reports about colleagues.

Question 37

Code of conduct for midwives: Principle 6 Research in health

Answer 37

Value: Midwives recognise the vital role of research to inform quality healthcare and policy development, conduct research ethically and support the decision-making of women who participate in research.

Question 38

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 6 Research in health. 6.1 Rights and responsibilities

Answer 38

Midwives involved in design, organisation, conduct or reporting of health research have additional responsibilities.
a. recognise and carry out the responsibilities associated with involvement in health research.
b. in research that involves human participants, respect the decision-making of women to not participate and/or to withdraw from a study, ensuring their decision does not compromise their care or any midwife-woman professional relationships
c. be aware of the values and ethical considerations for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities when undertaking research.

Question 39

Code of conduct for midwives: Principle 7 Health and wellbeing.

Answer 39

Value: Midwives promote health and wellbeing for women and their families, colleagues, the broader community and themselves and in a way that addresses health inequality.

Question 40

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 7 Health and wellbeing. 7.1 Your and your colleague’s health

Answer 40

Midwives have a responsibility to maintain their physical and mental health to practice safely and effectively
a. understands and promote the principles of public health, such as health promotion activities and vaccination.
b. act to reduce the effect of fatigue and stress on their health, and on their ability to provide safe care
c. encourages and support colleagues to seek help if they are concerned that their colleague’s health may be affecting their ability to practice safely
d. seeks expert, independent and objective help and advice, if they are ill or impaired in their ability to practice safely. Midwives must remain aware of the risks of self-diagnosis and self-treatment and act to reduce these
e. Take action, including a mandatory or voluntary notification to AHPRA. If a midwife knows or reasonably suspects that they or a colleague have a health condition or impairment that could adversely affect their ability to practice safely or put women at risk.

Question 41

Code of conduct for midwives; Principle 7 Health and wellbeing. 7.2 Health advocacy.

Answer 41

There are significant disparities in the health status of various groups in the Australian community.
a. uses their expertise and influence to protect and advance the health and wellbeing of individuals as well as communities and populations
b. understands and apply the principles of primary and public health, including health education, health promotion, disease prevention, control and health screening using the best available evidence in making practice decisions
c. participates in efforts to promote the health of communities and meet their obligations with respect to disease prevention including vaccination, health screening and reporting notifiable diseases.