Kia ora koutou members,
In order to streamline communications as much as possible during this time, the College national office is planning to send a single daily email at around 4pm, which includes all relevant updates and information.
1. The Ministry of Health are encouraging LMC midwives to create their own QR code that families can scan if they are seen at home. This can be done here: https://covid19.govt.nz/business-and-money/resources-for-businesses/get-your-qr-code-poster/ The QR is very simple to register for. If a midwife does not have a printer, the QR code also works from the email it is sent in, or from a downloaded and saved electronic copy. It is a simple and easy to transport in paper, phone or computer to clients houses or other work places.
2. Covid vaccination clinics are back up and running today under level 4 conditions. Reduced capacity to accommodate Level 4 precautions means that some appointments may be postponed. If the Ministry of Health needs to postpone an appointment the affected person will be contacted by the Ministry of Health, their DHB or health care provider. If they don’t hear from anyone, they should attend their scheduled appointment. Please note that the 40+ age band opened today. Anyone in that age band can now visit bookmyvaccine.nz to make a booking. Eligibility for the vaccine has been extended to 12 to 15 year olds from the 1st of September. If parents are booking their own appointments, they can also book their children’s appointment at the same time. Call 0800 28 29 26 (8am-8pm, 7 days a week) to see if the vaccination site has space to add 12- 15 year olds to an existing booking. If not, parents and caregivers can cancel their booking and create a new one later that can fit all in.
3. As per yesterday’s communication from the College, the Ministry of Health is still in the process of updating its PPE advice. Please check the Ministry of Health website regularly.
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
For maternity specific information: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-health-professionals/covid-19-maternity
You will find:
- Information for community-based midwives at all Alert Levels
- Occupational health guidance for vulnerable community-based self-employed midwives
- Information for radiologists on community-based maternity ultrasounds at different Alert Levels
- Advice for the use of Entonox in labour
- Recommendations on handling of the whenua/placenta for COVID-19 confirmed or probable women
- Guidance on personal protection equipment (PPE)
4. The College is also updating its Covid related advice, which is available here https://www.midwife.org.nz/midwives/covid-19/ Advice is available for midwives and women.
5. Some members have asked whether doulas are considered as essential workers. We have checked with the Ministry of Health who have confirmed that doulas are not considered to be on the essential worker list, and are therefore not able to provide services under Alert Level 4.
6. CV check update. As midwives are not able to access a Justice of the Peace to validate their identification documents for their CV Check applications during Alert level 4 and Alert level 3, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that CV Check will accept unverified IDs for midwives who don’t have RealMe, but they must provide verified ID within two weeks of the lockdown being lifted. Due to ongoing delays, midwives are strongly encouraged to apply for their CV Check as soon as the reminder (3 months in advance of expiry) is received.
Ngā mihi
Alison Eddy
Chief Executive
New Zealand College of Midwives|Te Kāreti o ngā Kaiwhakawhānau ki Aotearoa