Motions

International Midwives and Nurses Days

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (16:09): I move:

That this council—

1. recognises International Day of the Midwife held on 5 May annually, with the theme this year being 'Midwives leading the way with quality care';

2. recognises International Nurses Day held on 12 May annually, with the theme this year being 'Nurses, a voice to lead: health is a human right'; and

3. thanks all midwives and nurses for the important work that they do in caring for our community.

I acknowledge the presence in the parliament earlier today of Elizabeth Dabars, the state secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), as well as Jocelyn Douglass, the president of the ANMF in South Australia, as well as many branch members, clinicians and academics. They have come to parliament today to hear this notion moved in the other place, where many members of that place were pleased to play tribute to the fine work of nurses and midwives throughout the state.

I had the pleasure of being able to join them for a light lunch, along with the Minister for Health and Wellbeing; Nat Cook, member for Hurtle Vale; Chris Picton, shadow minister for health; Eddie Hughes, member for Giles; the member for Narungga; the member for King; and my colleague in this place the Hon. Tung Ngo. It was an opportunity to thank nurses and midwives for the amazing work they do in our community, in hospitals, in nursing homes, with at-home care and in many other centres throughout our community.

International Day of the Midwife has been celebrated since 1992 as a way of focusing on the role of the midwife. Each year a theme provides the motivating call to action to all midwives to get involved and to focus and to celebrate and to champion their work. This year, 'Midwives leading the way with quality care' is the theme. Midwives play such a vital role preparing women for pregnancy, ensuring that women and their precious newborns navigate pregnancy and childbirth safely, respectfully and powerfully.

It may not surprise members to learn that I have had quite a high level of involvement with midwives. Each of my six children was born with the help of midwives only, and I can attest to the important role that those midwives played.

I applaud programs that enable an expectant mother to build a relationship with one particular midwife throughout her pregnancy, have that midwife deliver her baby and have the same person involved in postnatal visits. This is such a beautiful partnership in women's care. But of course midwives are also involved in births that have complications, in stillbirths and in other difficult and tragic circumstances. We salute those who are with us through these most difficult of days as well as the most wonderful of days.

We hold International Nurses Day on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, known of course as the Lady with the Lamp. She lived a fine innings, dying at the age of 90 in 1910. Every year there is a theme for International Nurses Day also. This year the theme is 'Nurses, a voice to lead: health is a human right.' Nurses, too, play a vital role in our society. In fact, 2 per cent of the workforce are nurses. There are over 220,000 nurses across Australia. People who choose to become nurses do so because they are caring and compassionate people who support the wellbeing of our most vulnerable patients in a time of need.

Our nurses must be cared for also. The life of a nurse is difficult emotionally as well as physically and is often confronting. Our nurses often spend 10 hours on their feet without much of a break. If the hours are not draining enough, the sights seen certainly are. From nursing terminally ill patients to first responder nurses who witness firsthand the trauma of patients, this is not a job that when you finish at the end of the day you are likely to forget everything you have seen when you head home.

In spite of this, nurses are there when people are at that time of most need. They are there when people are uncomfortable, they are there when people are in pain, they are there when people are afraid. The work that nurses do is vital. Nursing is one of the most innovative of careers where change is constant. I am told, however, that a culture of friendship, camaraderie and solidarity is second to none.

It is also important to acknowledge the amazing work that nurses and midwives do in regional South Australia. There are thousands of nurses who service our regions with distinction—remote areas also, including the APY lands. Their commitment to serve ensures that everyone in our state has access to world-class healthcare.

As a Limestone Coast local, I was particularly pleased to see the nomination in the SA Health Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, 'Excellence in practice—registered midwife', of Rachael Yates, who lives in Mount Gambier and was a finalist in this category. Congratulations, Rachael! And congratulations to all of those who were nominated and who won in those awards.

Of course, the opening of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital has seen thousands of nurses enter a state-of-the-art and purpose-built public hospital in which a skilled and experienced nursing staff will continue to drive person-centred care, leading innovation and inspire others with their passion and commitment. So to all the nurses and midwives of South Australia, thank you for your commitment; thank you for your dedication; thank you for your service. I commend the motion.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. T.J. Stephens.