Relationship between the Midwifery Scope of Practice and the Competencies for Entry to the Register of Midwives

Scope of Practice

The Midwifery Scope of Practice provides a broad statement of the boundaries of what a New Zealand midwife can do on her own professional responsibility. This definition, once gazetted, provides a legal definition of New Zealand midwifery practice.

It does not mean that every midwife must practise the full scope all of the time. Rather, it is expected that all midwives can demonstrate that they are able to practice the full scope, even if their daily practice is more restricted.  The scope must be broad because it sets the limits of what midwives are able to do. It also needs to be flexible to accommodate a variety of midwifery styles of practice, rather than be prescriptive or restrictive. As a bottom line the Midwifery Scope of Practice must reflect what the public expects from anyone holding the title of ‘midwife’.

Competencies

The Competencies for Entry to the Register of Midwives provide the detail of the skills, knowledge and attitudes expected of a midwife to work within the Midwifery Scope of Practice. Where the Midwifery Scope of Practice provides the broad boundaries of midwifery practice, the competencies provide the detail of how a registered midwife is expected to practise and what she is expected to be capable of doing. These are minimum competence standards required of all midwives who register in New Zealand. Again, not all midwives will necessarily demonstrate all competencies all of the time in their everyday practice. However, the Council expects that all midwives can demonstrate that they are able to meet these competencies on a regular basis.

It is important for midwives to understand the linkages between the Midwifery Scope of Practice and the Competencies because together  they provide a full description of midwifery practice.