Are Staffing Shortages Changing the Culture of Midwifery?

Edwards, Nadine; Gilbert, Arianna; Mander, Rosemary; McHugh, Nessa; Murphy-Lawless, Jo; Patterson, Jenny

Abstract

The effects of budgetary changes on midwives' practice environment have raised concerns in many settings. A survey of midwives and student midwives in the UK and Republic of Ireland in 2014 produced 280 responses. Staffing shortages were regarded as underpinning many changes, one of which was that of previously optional 'extra' activities, such as unpaid overtime, becoming mandatory. Shortages were aggravated in less acute areas by the transfer of midwives to more acute settings. One of the fears expressed by midwives was that a permanent change in the culture of midwifery would result. These phenomena are the everyday experiences of practising midwives, but they have failed to be addressed in the documents published by regulatory and review bodies.

Citation

Edwards, N., Gilbert, A., Mander, R., McHugh, N., Murphy-Lawless, J., & Patterson, J. (2016). Are Staffing Shortages Changing the Culture of Midwifery?. Practising Midwife, 19(3), 12-16

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Mar 16, 2016
• Publication Date: 2016
• Deposit Date: Feb 2, 2021
• Journal: The Practising Midwife
• Print ISSN: 1461-3123
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 12-16
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2719093
• Publisher URL: https://www.all4maternity.com/staffing-shortages-changing-culture-midwifery/
• Additional Information: Part of the Birth Project Group