Midwifery Council of New Zealand Notifications re competence,

fitness and conduct

HDC Conference9 March 2015

Notifications

Notification receivedThe same day ……..• Physical and electronic files opened• Assessed for seriousness and category• If serious, processes for urgent and immediate

action put underway• HDC notified if health of consumer affected

Competence

• Midwife’s response/clinical notes sought• Complaint, response and relevant documents

assessed by external s36 competence assessor (new in 2015, previously sorting committee which was a sub-committee of the Council )

• Competence assessor’s report discussed by Council and decision made re action

Competence Notifications 2004 - 15

2004 - 05 2005 - 06 2006 -07 2007 -08 2008 -09 2009 -10 2010 -11 2011 -12 2012-13 2013-14 2014 -150

5

10

15

20

25

30

Competence

Addressing competence issues

Form of the review is at Council’s discretion

Range of processes/actions

• No further action reflections & appropriate education already undertaken midwife demonstrates a change made in practice midwife ceased practice Council does not have concerns over competence

Competence review tools

• Special review • Competence assessment• OSCE assessment• Competence review • Special Midwifery Standards Review• National Midwifery Examination

Midwife may be suspended pending review if risk of serious harm identified

Competence review tools

2004 - 05 2005 - 06 2006 -07 2007 -08 2008 -09 2009 -10 2010 -11 2011 -12 2012-13 2013-14 2014 -150

5

10

15

20

25

30

Total

Competence review

Spec MSR

Case review

Competence review - outcomes

• No further action• Competence programme (s38 or s40)• Supervision – can include “over the shoulder” • Conditions on practising certificate e.g. may only

work in certain areas, may not prescribe • Suspension during completion of competence

programme• If there are ongoing issues, has further s43 powers

to alter scope of practice or suspend registration

Referrals- years in practice

Risk Factors?

Hard Data Indicators ?• Years of Practice 5-13 yr cohort• Age 35-55 yrs

Soft Indicators (Circumstance / Storyline)• Isolation• Relationships with DHB, Partners• Handover of care• Engagement with Council - Registration;

Health

Health• After notification received, midwife informed

of concerns by phone and response sought• Medical report sought• Considered by health committee . Action may

include: NFAMonitoring by health committeeConditions on scope of practiceSuspension

Notifications 2004 -15

Conduct

• After notification received, midwife informed of concerns and response sought

• No action while investigated by HDC• Council refers matter to PCC if of sufficient

seriousness• PCC makes recommendation or determination under

s80

Conduct processes

Council notifications cf to HDC