Abstract
This article examines whether the current termination laws of Australia
and Aotearoa New Zealand align with the midwifery scope of practice. It
begins with an introduction to termination of pregnancy from a health care
perspective. An overview of previous and current legal frameworks in Australia
and Aotearoa New Zealand that impact upon the provision of termination
of pregnancy health services is provided. Midwives’ scope of practice is
explained and the legal and administrative factors obstructing midwives’
ability to work to their full scope are discussed. Midwives’ needs to enable
the provision of termination care are considered. The article concludes that
the current laws are not supportive of midwives as termination care providers
and their needs to realise their full scope of practice are not being met.
and Aotearoa New Zealand align with the midwifery scope of practice. It
begins with an introduction to termination of pregnancy from a health care
perspective. An overview of previous and current legal frameworks in Australia
and Aotearoa New Zealand that impact upon the provision of termination
of pregnancy health services is provided. Midwives’ scope of practice is
explained and the legal and administrative factors obstructing midwives’
ability to work to their full scope are discussed. Midwives’ needs to enable
the provision of termination care are considered. The article concludes that
the current laws are not supportive of midwives as termination care providers
and their needs to realise their full scope of practice are not being met.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 523-538 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Journal of Law and Medicine |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2024 |
