New program delivers urgently needed support to Australia’s midwives and nurses: media release
The nation’s nurses and midwives will receive urgently needed support under the new $25.2 million Australian Government-funded Nurse and Midwife Health Program Australia (Nurse Midwife HPA).
The Nurse Midwife HPA is a free, confidential and independent service for nurses and midwives, as well as nursing and midwifery students, experiencing any sensitive health or wellbeing concern.
The Government has committed to a five-year investment to deliver the Nurse Midwife HPA, which is being rolled out in stages. The peer support counselling service has started with national telehealth consultations. The Nurse Midwife HPA is working towards establishing four hubs and regional offices later this year that will offer face-to-face and telehealth services.
Nurse Midwife HPA is available via phone on 1800 001 060 or via email - info@nursemidwifehpa.org.au
Nurses and midwives are Australia’s largest group (54%) of registered health professionals. Fatigue, stress and burnout have been identified as a threat to both the Australian and global nursing and midwifery workforce.
In our professions, we’re often not wired or used to putting our own needs or self-care first, so it’s important to reinforce that if we have concerns and aren’t feeling right that help is at hand.
The Australian Government’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Adjunct Professor Alison McMillan PSM believes the new service is a huge step forward in recognising the incredible work and commitment of nurses and midwives, so providing them with the support they need when they need it is important. Adjunct Professor McMillan encourages all nurses and midwives to see accessing this service as a strength.
“Global studies have confirmed that levels of burnout among nurses and midwives are higher than other health professionals, including doctors,” she explained.
The Nurse Midwife HPA is founded on the following principles:
- Individual focused – focused on the mental and physical wellbeing of nurses and midwives, providing flexible, empowering and collaborative care.
- Integrated – supporting nurses and midwives to connect to trusted health professionals, ensuring a smooth referral pathway between the participant and the health professional.
- Equitable and inclusive – a free, welcoming, compassionate, culturally safe, and appropriate environment.
- Clinical governance and accountability – to ensure quality standards and clinical competence and reporting requirements.
Nurses, midwives or students of these professions experiencing any health or wellbeing issue, whether it is drug, alcohol or gambling, stress, burnout, occupational violence, or a mental health concern, can connect with experienced nurse or midwife.
Access to the Nurse Midwife HPA can be initiated by nurses and midwives themselves through self-referral.
The Nurse Midwife HPA is an additional complimentary service and potential referral pathway from Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and Nurse & Midwife Support, the national 24/7 support service that provides brief intervention counselling and referral pathways. The Nurse Midwife HPA differs to other services in that it offers unlimited sessions, is nurse- and midwife-specific, is independent from employers, and offers face-to-face and telehealth services (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
For more information and/or support, go to https://nursemidwifehpa.org.au
For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Tayla - Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Coordinator
info@nursemidwifehpa.org.au