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Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office
The Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office provide high level advice and leadership on nursing and midwifery professional, workforce and policy matters across WA Health.
Led by Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, the Office sets the strategic direction of the nursing and midwifery professions in WA Health. This is achieved through engagement, partnership and collaboration with nurses and midwives working in private and public sectors, healthcare-related industries, education providers, as well as consumers and other key stakeholders.
As part of the Clinical Excellence Division, the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office’s activities align with the division’s strategic priorities of clinical leadership, use of data and evidence (to improve patient outcomes), research innovation, building the clinical workforce and strengthening a patient focus.
Key responsibilities
The CNMO functions within the framework of the Department of Health as system manager for the nursing and midwifery workforce. The DOH supports the Director General to perform all the legislative functions under the Health Services Act 2016. It is our responsibility to provide high quality advice to the Director General and Minister for Health regarding all aspects of the nursing and midwifery workforce.
A key priority for the CNMO is creating capability and capacity in our professions to meet the evolving needs of the WA community.
Our strategic direction
In 2014, the WA Health Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan 2015-2017 was developed to set the State’s strategic priorities. Following on from the achievements of this plan the WA Health Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Priorities 2018-2021 has been developed in consultation with nurse and midwives across the state. The WA Health Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Priorities 2018-2021 is aligned to the WA Health Strategic Intent, national and international nursing and midwifery strategic priorities. It is well placed to be responsive to the recommendations of the Sustainable Health Review and support nursing and midwifery business and the valuable contribution that the professions make to the people of Western Australia that we are entrusted to care for.
The CNMO and WAHNMAC monitor and report progress of achievements in delivering upon the WA Health Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Priorities 2018-2021 (PDF 1MB).
Nursing and Midwifery in Western Australia: A Discussion Paper
In February 2020, the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer responded to a Ministerial Request to provide an overview of the nursing and midwifery professions in Western Australia (WA). The planned release for the discussion paper was delayed due to the COVID pandemic and WA Health’s preparation for the predicted public health emergency.
The Nursing and Midwifery in Western Australia: A Discussion Paper (PDF 1MB) is designed to encourage discussion and debate. A comprehensive review of the sector will include a Statewide roundtable stakeholder event and the opportunity for all nurses and midwives to participate in an online survey.
This consultation will inform the terms of reference for an independent review of nursing and midwifery, the first of its kind in WA.
Dates for the roundtable stakeholder event and survey will be announced in the near future.
Western Australian Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Strategy
The WA Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Strategy (PDF 1MB) paves the way to improving how healthcare services are delivered in Western Australia.
The Strategy aligns with the WA Health Digital Strategy 2020–2030 which challenges the WA health system to embrace digital innovations in the delivery of patient care, ensuring that consumers are at the heart of digital design.
The Strategy will aid the delivery of the Sustainable Health Review's Enduring strategy six (invest in digital health care and use data wisely) and seven (culture and workforce to support new models of care).
Employment opportunities
All of our employment vacancies are now advertised online. You can view vacancies, apply online and sign up for email alerts so that you are notified when any suitable jobs are advertised.
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Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office