What does the Midwifery Council do?
The functions of the Council are defined by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 ("the Act").
The Council must:
- Define the Midwifery Scope(s) of Practice and prescribe the qualifications required of registered midwives
- Accredit and monitor midwifery educational institutions and programmes
- Maintain a public Register of Midwives who have the required qualifications and are competent and fit to practise
- Issue practising certificates to midwives who maintain their competence
- Establish programmes to asses and promote midwives' ongoing competence
- Deal with complaints and concerns about midwives' conduct, competence and health
- Set the midwifery profession's standards for clinical and cultural competence and ethical conduct, including competencies that will enable effective and respectful interaction with Maori
- Promote education and training in midwifery
- Promote and facilitate inter-disciplinary collaboration and cooperation in the delivery of health services
- Promote public awareness of the Council's responsibilities