Midwives to rally outside John Hunter Hospital over conditions

The protest, expected to take place at noon, coincides with International Day of the Midwife.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA) wants the NSW government to introduce a ratio of one midwife to three mothers and their babies on postnatal maternity wards, a full review of the Birthrate Plus staffing system, and for extra clinical midwifery educators to be employed.

"This is an important day to recognise the critical work of midwives who assist mothers in the safe delivery of their children. It's a challenging profession but it's also extremely rewarding," said the union's general secretary Brett Holmes, who is a former midwife.

"There's no denying we have a midwifery shortage in NSW. This is undoubtedly adding to the strain and growing workload of midwives, who are attempting to safely support parents and babies at a crucial point in their lives."

NSWNMA assistant general secretary Shaye Candish said it was imperative mothers and babies were afforded access to quality midwifery care in all facilities across the state.

"On behalf of members, we're continuing to fight for the correct number of midwives on shift, so they can deliver safe care to mothers and their babies," Ms Candish said.

"Highly skilled, professional midwives are flat-out trying to work in a broken health system and we're seeing them reduce their hours or move interstate where conditions and pay is better."

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