National Centre for Healthy Ageing (NCHA)’s Post

For the past few days, I've been doing research for an op ed I want to write on the number of majority-white midwifery institutions that have collected millions in Health and Human Services funding to diversify midwifery. Today, I happened upon this article about University of Michigan School of Nursing. I'm not a UofM student. I don't know the experiences of their student midwives. But I'll say this - this is the right way to collect funding to diversify midwifery. Not only will the funding be used to eliminate the barrier of tuition, but the article specifically mentions the partnership with Birth Detroit and Metro Detroit Midwives of Color, who will serve as mentors for incoming students of color. This is **critical**. Unlike MD preceptors who are paid through federal funding, most midwifery preceptors aren't paid. What this means is that institutions are collecting funding to admit students of color, but cannot provide them with preceptors that look like them. This causes a disparity in graduation rates between Black and non-Black students, ultimately defeating the purpose of funding institutions in the first place. At Yale School of Nursing, we currently have 1 Black CNM preceptor. I applaud U of M for not only providing free tuition, but also ensuring Black students have safe clinical experiences. This is how you grow more midwives.

As an autistic person working in healthcare, before diagnosis, while caring for others I was dying inside. Alexathymia meant I found it hard to read other people's emotions from facial expressions alone, or sometimes indentifying my own. Some colleagues viewed me as cold, unfeeling and not part of the team. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The off the charts empathy that we autistics are gifted with, and a need to ensure my care was always evidence based and safe ensured a great relationship with patients. However as a nurse back in the 80's and 90's, questioning care and challenging doctors wasn't seen as the mark of a good nurse. Thankfully Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and nursing faculties like Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, RCSI brought enquiry into our profession. Staff who go into healthcare do so because we care. However depending on our condition, there can be struggles. Be it ASD, ADHD, dyslexia or others, for each deficit, there are incredible strengths. Many don't ask for help fearing promotion or employment prospects. So it's up to those of us who can speak out to do so. I can only speak about autisim and my experience in healthcare. Accommodations are really important if we're to work productively. Sometimes its simply a case of being able to take a ten minute break. Sometimes having a trusted person in the organisation we can talk to. Being autistic is literally our brain. It's not our personality !. We're not being precious or self entitled. If our needs aren't met we're the ones who'll suffer the sometimes catastrophic consequences. That's the disability part. But we autistics have incredibly hyperconnected brains & ability to hyperfocus. We're justice seekers, fact finders and safe carers. They're our super powers, particularly in the healthcare setting where people come to us looking for safe empathic care ❤️ #actuallyautistic #beautifulautisticbrain HSE Workplace Health & Wellbeing HSE Research and Development

Of a recent survey of over 2,806 LGBTQI+ people, some very shocking statistics have emerged, including; - 27% experienced severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression - 34% experienced severe or extremely severe symptoms of anxiety - 23% experienced severe or extremely severe symptoms of stress - 52% had self-harmed - 49% reported experiencing homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying in school - 79% reported witnessing homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying in school - 62% reported that LGBTQI+ bullying was not actively addressed within their school - 48% reported avoiding certain spaces due to feeling unsafe It is clear that since the marriage referendum, all is not rosey in the garden for LGBTQI+ people, as many people think. A variety of work still needs to be done by different actors (our education system, our guardians, our mental health system etc) to name but a few. lf half of LGBTQI+ people feel unsafe going to certain spaces, that says a lot. Thank you for all the work you do in this space Belong To , reports like this need to be read and these voices need to be heard. #mentalhealth #lgbtqi #belongto

📢 Very important report from Belong To - According to the ‘Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland’ research, there has been an increase in depression, anxiety and stress in LGBTQ+ people, and Trans and Non-Binary people were at a further risk of depression, self-harm, and suicide compared to their cis gender peers. Read the full report 👉 https://lnkd.in/eSAaQW64

All Australian states and territories should fund the resources needed to better address the risks and consequences of birth trauma, following the report and recommendations handed down yesterday by the NSW Select Committee on Birth Trauma. “We are seeing more and more people reaching out for legal assistance after experiencing the effects of birth trauma. It is concerningly common for women to report that they were not given any choice as to the mode of delivery of their baby, and not properly advised of the risks of instrumental delivery. “Recommendations made in the NSW report include: • investing in and expanding midwifery continuity of care models; • addressing the specific needs of diverse communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies; and • implementing policies that help respect women’s choices, providing for women to be properly advised about their choices and the risks and benefits of those choices. “All of the Select Committee’s recommendations should be adopted by the NSW and other state and territory governments, as this will help ensure that women giving birth ... are better supported and more likely to have a positive birthing experience.” -Kasarne Burgan, ALA spokesperson and Medical Law SIG Interim Chair ALA media release: https://lnkd.in/gBZQJASS #mediarelease #birthtrauma #inquiry #givingbirth #medicalnegligence

The Taliban in Afghanistan has taken another significant step in the harmful oppression of women and girls. It was already the case that women are not allowed to receive medical attention from male medical professionals in large parts of the country. But at least women could receive medical help from female doctors and nurses, and could train in medicine, nursing and midwifery. This was the very last remaining educational option for girls to continue learning past the age of around 12. That's until this week, when it was announced that women can no longer study any of these subjects. Girls at med school have been now prevented from continuing their studies, and the Taliban has announced an immediate ban on women studying nursing and midwifery. Not only does it prevent women from education, careers and some semblance of financial independence, it also means that increasing numbers of women, as time goes on, simply won't be able to get proper medical help. It represents a complete lack of regard for women on so many levels. 'This new decree — banning women from nursing and midwifery training — will result in unnecessary pain, misery, sickness and death for the women forced to go without health care,' commented Sahar Fetrat of Human Rights Watch. Men are already banned from midwifery in Afghanistan, and the country is one of the most dangerous countries for women to give birth in. The UN declared in December 2023 that 12 women die each day for birth related reasons in the country, and that to ensure that women have adequate maternal care another 18,000 midwives are needed. Not allowing young women to train to make up this shortfall will surely increase the maternal mortality rate as well as cause harm and even death to many more infants during birth. This complete lack of regard for women's health and needs is appaling, and indicative of the general way that the leadership in Afghanistan view women. It also seems to be a very short-sighted strategy. If what they want is more sons and more men to fight and work, they won't achieve it without mothers and newborns getting the healthcare they need. For the women and girls of Afghanistan, their near total lack of rights, safety, access to education, opportunity and healthcare is a huge tragedy. Silent protests are being planned in various places around the UK this Saturday, you can find out more about where these are happening here: https://lnkd.in/eDSdF6Va What is happening in Afghanistan and in many conflict zones is the absolute worst end of the global crisis in violence against women and girls. What is driving all of this violence is the desire to control and dominate women, combined with seeing women and girls as inferior and disposable, objects to be owned, used and discarded. We have such a long way to go. Giving up the push for progress is not an option. #equality #vawg #16days

The Urgent Need for Specialist Training for Midwives Supporting Women with Learning Disabilities Recent research published in the British Journal of Learning Disabilities highlights a significant gap in midwifery care for women with cognitive disabilities. Midwives feel inadequately prepared to support these women due to a lack of specialist training, particularly in health education and communication skills. This gap puts vulnerable women at risk of poorer outcomes and reinforces the inequities within the healthcare system. Alison Bloomer’s article ‘Midwives lack specialist training for women with learning disabilities’ reports that the study reveals that women with learning disabilities face numerous challenges during pregnancy, including difficulty sharing their pregnancy news, involvement in their care, and fear of losing custody of their child. On the other hand, midwives experience challenges in conducting routine assessments and communicating effectively due to the lack of adequate training. Every woman has the right to midwifery-led care, regardless of their abilities. Some women with spinal cord injuries (SCI) have shared with me that they had no other option than to see OBs during their pregnancy care, missing out on the vital support midwives provide throughout the antenatal, birth, and postnatal period. The role of midwives extends far beyond medical care. They offer emotional support, education, and advocacy, which are essential for ensuring a positive pregnancy and birth experience for all women. In my experience, without specialised education around how to empower and care for women with disabilities in the pre-conception, antenatal, birth and postnatal period, midwives are left feeling ill-prepared, and the women they care for, are left without the full range of support they deserve. Alison’s article also highlights that maternal healthcare is impacted by understaffing, outdated equipment, and inequities in pain relief, especially for women from ethnic minorities or those who don't speak English as a first language. These systemic issues further exacerbate the struggles faced by women with disabilities, making it clear that equitable, accessible care is still a long way off. For women with intellectual disabilities, effective communication and tailored education are critical. Enabling them to understand their healthcare choices and participate in decision-making fosters autonomy and empowers them throughout their pregnancy. #HealthcareEquity #Midwifery #LearningDisabilities #PregnancyCare #InclusiveCare #MaternalHealth #DisabilityIsHuman #Accessibility #SexualQualityOfLife #HealthcareTraining #DisabilityAdvocacy

First Nations communities experience an unacceptable gap in health outcomes and First Nations babies and their mothers have critically poorer outcomes than non-First Nations people. The Baggarrook Yurrongi culturally inclusive caseload midwifery pilot program began as a collaboration between researchers at La Trobe University, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and three major Melbourne metropolitan hospitals. Women in the program reported positive experiences of maternity care during labour, birth and the early postnatal period and felt emotionally and physically supported. Numerous studies have found that midwifery-led continuity of care is associated with substantially better perinatal health outcomes. That's why there is such a demand for the Baggarrook Yurrongi caseload midwifery program. This unique model differs from fragmented mainstream care where First Nations women usually receive care from a number of different and unfamiliar health care providers, and often experience racism. Midwives working in the model were also highly satisfied with the work, valuing building close relationships with women and providing continuity of care in a culturally sensitive way. To support this program and other wonderful gender-wise initiatives please visit the AIIW Project Portal via: https://lnkd.in/e7wdphUA #womenshealth #naidoc #keepthefiresburning #genderequality #philanthropy #investinwomen #firstnations #Baggarrookyurrongi #midwifery #genderwise #philanthropy #genderlens #investinginwomen #funding

The ban on Afghan women attending midwifery education is a shocking and deeply enraging violation of their human rights, compounding the already severe violence and oppression they face. Not only are these women being denied an opportunity to pursue essential education and contribute to society, but this policy also reflects a broader pattern of systemic violence against women and girls in Afghanistan. The denial of their right to work, learn, and engage in meaningful professions like midwifery is a form of psychological and emotional violence that restricts their freedom and autonomy. This repression leaves women vulnerable to further violence and exploitation, while simultaneously undermining their ability to care for and protect others, particularly women and children. The cruelty of such actions is staggering, and the global community must unite in condemnation, demanding an end to these abuses and holding those responsible accountable. The #16 Days of Activism Campaign serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by women worldwide and calls for urgent action to end such injustices. We must stand in solidarity with Afghan women, demanding an end to these harmful policies and working toward a future where all women can live free from violence and oppression. #EndAfghanwomenoppression#Endvawg#16Days

A labor & delivery nurse asked me, “If a woman knows ahead of time that a hospital will not do VBAC, and she goes there anyway, demanding a VBAC or refusing a section, what does that say about her?” I responded, “She wants to birth in a hospital and has no other options.” Her response? Women should just “go to another hospital.” She seemed to really believe that parents were going to VBAC ban hospitals to make a point and be difficult. She seemed to really believe that every single person has access to a VBAC supportive hospital. She did not accept that these women honestly have no other options. If we want to collaborate to improve VBAC access, then we need to see the big picture. 44% of American hospitals ban VBAC. Meaning they have hospital policies which “require” repeat cesareans and “don’t allow” planned VBAC. This includes large, well-resourced hospitals with 24/7 anesthesia. They choose to not support VBAC. Meanwhile, that choice violate medical ethics and national guidelines. Women and birthing parents go to VBAC ban hospitals seeking a VBAC because they feel like that is their only option. Because they want to birth their baby in a hospital. They simply want access to care. #vbac #vbacfacts #cesarean #repeatcesarean #cesareanbirth #autonomy #humanrights #evidencebasedcare #surgicalbirth #laboranddeliverynurses #laborandeliverynurse #doula #midwifery #midwives #hospitalbirth #homebirth #birthcenterbirth #obgyn #birthprofessional #birthworkers #pregnancy #birth #childbirtheducator #childbirtheducation #labornurse