Delivering continuity of midwifery care to Queensland women

Glossary
This glossary includes all relevant definitions from the NHMRC’s National Guidance on
Collaborative Maternity Care. Thanks to NHMRC for allowing use of their work.
ACM: Australian College of Midwives www.midwives.org.au
AHPRA: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, the new (2010) national body
regulating health practitioners www.ahpra.gov.au
ALSO: Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics. www.also.net.au
Caseload midwifery: Refers to the model where the woman has a ‘primary’ or ‘named’
midwife, providing the majority of pregnancy, birth and post birth care (Homer et al 2008).
This model is also referred to as a ‘continuity of carer model’ or ‘one to one’ midwifery care.
Case load. The actual number of women a caseload midwife is ‘carrying’ or providing care for
(i.e. her workload).
Clinical privileging: The process by which a health care professional is granted permission
by a health service (e.g. a hospital) to provide care services within defined limits. These
limits are based on an individual’s qualifications, experience and registration status.
Clinical Services Capability Framework: The levels of clinical capability for health services in
Queensland and outlines the required resources. www.health.qld.gov.au/cscf
Collaborating partners: Maternity care professionals who are actively collaborating (i.e. not
in an employee–employer relationship). Collaborating partners refer women to each other as
the need arises.
Collaboration: A process where two or more independent professionals work together
with the woman to achieve common goals by sharing knowledge, learning and building
consensus.
Collaborative agreement or arrangement: An informal or formal recognition of the terms of a
collaboration.
Collaborative practice: A group of maternity care professionals who collaborate with each
other and with women in the planning and delivery of their maternity care (see also Section
1.1, NHMRC National Guidance on Collaborative Maternity Care).
Continuity of care: A situation where a woman is cared for by a group of professionals who
share common ways of working and a common philosophy.
Continuity of carer: Care provided, or supervised, over time by the same trusted carer
(usually including backup arrangements).
Coordinator of care: The person nominated by a woman to coordinate her maternity care.
Core midwives: Work rostered shifts to provide midwifery care within a facility (in contrast
to caseload midwives who may work in a range of settings and attend as required by
client’s needs).
CPD: Continuing Professional Development.
CSCF: Clinical Services Capability Framework www.health.qld.gov.au/cscf
Doula: An unregulated health worker. A support person who assists the woman and her
family to prepare for birth and parenting through emotional and physical support.
Eligible midwife: Is able to provide Medicare-rebatable services. She has a notation to her
registration by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), which is granted after
application and meeting the NMBA Registration Standard for Eligible Midwives.
Family: The woman’s spouse, husband, defacto, partner, sibling, kin, parent, guardian or
community.
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Delivering continuity of midwifery care to Queensland women