A midwife is a person who has successfully completed a midwifery education programme that is duty recognized in Hong Kong and that is congruent with the Core Competencies for Hong Kong registered midwives; who has passed the assessment as stipulated by the Midwives Council of Hong Kong, and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery.
The Hong Kong College of Midwives was established in March 2012 with the objects of the advancement of the provision of education and training. That includes promoting the study and advancement of the science and practice of midwifery in Hong Kong; to develop and maintain the good practice of midwifery by ensuring the highest professional standards of competence and ethical integrity.
With years of preparatory work, the College was accredited by the Provisional Hong Kong Academy of Nursing (HKAN) in March 2012 and became one of the 14 Academy Colleges of the Provisional Hong Kong Academy of Nursing The Hong Kong College of Midwives was officially inaugurated on 12 May 2012. This important milestone signified the professional development of Midwives in Hong Kong. The inauguration was successfully held in the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Building. Totally 50 Midwives Fellows were conferred as Grandfather Fellows on the day. The inauguration was officiated by Dr. York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health and Dr. C H Leong. Patron of HKAN in the presence of Chairman of HA, Director of Health, CE of HA and President of HK Academy of Medicine. This is the actualization of the vision to establish an independent organization to regulate advanced nursing and midwifery practice for the professions through the concerted efforts of nurse and midwives leaders, specialty nurses and midwives: and academics from different sectors.
The Hong Kong Academy of Nursing is the professional association established to govern nursing and midwifery practices in Hong Kong. It is to lead growth and advancement of the nursing and midwifery profession, and promote collaboration and solidarity among nursing and midwifery specialties. It also promotes the highest professional, ethical and governance standards in partnership with the Government and other professional bodies to provide nursing and midwifery services of excellence to the community The PHKAN’s current priority is to establish the Academy as a statutory body and along with it, an ordinance enacted to empower the Academy to endow official accreditation to nursing and midwifery professionals. Good progress has been made with the support and facilitation of the Government, other professional associations and the community over the years.
The Hong Kong College of Midwives was founded by Ms Alice SHAM, Ms Manbo MAN, Ms Irene LEE, Ms Florence HAU, Ms Iris LAM, Ms Rita YUEN and Ms POON Miu Ho. With tremendous advice and support by O&G, Midwifery and Nursing colleagues, the College has been established for one year now. Other than the 5 Office Bearers and 8 Council members, 10 Fellow members had been invited to join the Council as co-opted members after the Fellowship conferment in May 2012. Under the Council, there are 4 committees, each with their terms of reference clearly delineated; namely Fellowship Selection Committee, Finance& Executive Committee, Education Committee and Review Committee.
Since its establishment, the College has strived to lay down the ground work for future development. In 2013, the College was re-accredited by the HKAN for another 2 years as it has fulfilled the requirement as an Academy College The Council members are currently working very hard in establishing the membership training programme which hopefully will be ready for enrollment in 2013/14. Basic and post-basic training elements are focused on the consolidation of midwifery practice in normality of childbirth and the advanced role of midwifery practice. Various specialty areas are included in the post-basic and post-membership training before the fellowship. In this regard, the support from Obstetricians, Gynecologists; other healthcare professionals and clinical specialties will be vital for the realization of advanced training in Midwifery practice. With this progress, I am confident that the HKCMW will promote and foster the growth of professional midwifery in Hong Kong.