Darling Downs Health welcomes first cohort of endorsed midwives

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Maternity care across the Darling Downs continues to be strengthened, with the region’s first publicly employed endorsed midwives now offering expert support to local women.

Endorsed midwives are clinicians who hold additional qualifications and can prescribe medications, order pathology and diagnostic testing relevant to their scope of practice throughout a woman’s pregnancy.

Darling Downs Health Service Chief Executive Annette Scott PSM said the role marked a major milestone for maternity services across our region.

“Having midwives with additional skills means women across the Darling Downs can continue to access the highest quality care,” Ms Scott said.

This role means women, especially those giving birth rurally, will receive care from a known, trusted and highly qualified midwife throughout their birthing journey

- Darling Downs Health Service Chief Executive Annette Scott PSM

Ms Scott said the roles were also an important addition to the midwifery workforce and to regional hospitals.

Clinical midwifery facilitator Jessica Stone, working at the Dalby Hospital maternity unit, said she was honoured to be the health service’s first endorsed midwife in March.

“I hope it will pave the way for other midwives to get their endorsement,” she said.

Ms Stone said she decided to undertake the extra study required to become an endorsed midwife to add to her skillset.

“It's a great opportunity for midwives to work to their full scope of practice, and to provide these services in rural health facilities.”

She said she encouraged other midwives interested in upskilling to consider becoming an endorsed midwife.

“There are great opportunities now within Darling Downs Health to be able to work to a full scope of midwifery practice,” Ms Stone said.

“There's lots of supports and mentors out there for them.”

To become an endorsed midwife in Queensland, midwives must complete a postgraduate course and have at least three years’ full-time experience.

There are currently six endorsed midwives across the region, based at Toowoomba, Kingaroy, Dalby and Goondiwindi.