SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
120924	Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Curative Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0816/23	2023-05-30	2026-05-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-05-30		2030-05-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery qualification is to prepare the learner to become a specialist midwife who can integrate comprehensive midwifery care, from pre-conception to the postnatal stage, and who has specialist clinical expertise in the main areas of midwifery care and practice.
Midwifery is a specialised field with a focus on expanded roles and competencies to improve maternal health, reproductive health (including genetic counselling) and neonatal or child health. The qualification will strengthen and deepen the learner's knowledge of midwifery. The qualification will prepare midwives to improve the quality of care that mothers and neonates receive and to prevent complications such as maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:

Practice within the ethical-legal parameters of the nursing and midwifery profession and resolve professional-ethical dilemmas by using decision-making and moral reasoning models.

Apply knowledge of basic research methodology in the appraisal of articles in the field of Midwifery and Neonatal care.

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of midwifery and neonatal nursing care of patients in a variety of clinical settings, to promote health outcomes.

Render and coordinate comprehensive midwifery and neonatal healthcare in a variety of healthcare settings to promote health outcomes.

Rationale:
The South African Nursing Council (SANC) has closed all legacy qualifications to renew and upgrade nursing qualifications and also align all nursing qualifications with the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF). This qualification is replacing the current Bachelor of Nursing Honours in Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science qualification. This new qualification will enable the learners to function as a leader who is a clinically focused, service-orientated, autonomous, innovative nurse or midwife accoucheur specialists who can render comprehensive, scientific nursing or midwifery care in multidisciplinary teams.

The national demand around education and training of midwives requires competent midwifery practitioners who are up to date with international practices (SANC, 2013) and who can work within multi-disciplinary teams to support national health priorities. This qualification will align midwifery training with the Strategic National Plan to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates to improve the life expectancy of the country (DOH, 2015:13). To reach the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG) to end preventable deaths, child mortality needs to be reduced to 20 or fewer deaths per 1000 births and maternal mortality to 70 or fewer deaths per 100,000 live births by the end of 2030 (Bhatia, Krieger & Subramanian, 2019:285). Furthermore, this qualification will integrate the new governmental policies and regulations around health care service delivery in midwifery and neonatal care to address the changes in the social context of South Africa, specifically midwifery services, as maternal and neonatal health has become a national priority.

With the introduction of the National Health Insurance, midwives will play a vital role in communities. The specialist midwife must therefore understand, apply, and evaluate key midwifery terms and concepts and understand risks, diseases, complications, and practices in midwifery as a specialised field. A range of methods of enquiry will be included to teach learners about specialised investigations and procedures used in midwifery and neonatal care to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates of mothers and babies. The learners' ability to identify, analyse, critically reflect on, and address complex problems related to midwifery care will be developed for learners to provide comprehensive midwifery care in communities as independent practitioners. Clinical reasoning will be encouraged, as learners are taught to apply evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments. This qualification will furthermore produce midwives who will be able to take decisions and act ethically and professionally as well as justify their decisions and actions. These midwives will also be able to process information gathering, validate sources of information and evaluate and manage the information for professional development purposes and address the learning needs of others, e.g., community members and colleagues, related to pregnancy and obstetric care.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

RPL for access:

Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.

To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules:

Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit:

Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements:

Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 7.
Or

Advanced Diploma in Midwifery, NQF Level 7.
And

Registered Professional Nurse and Midwife with SANC.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 125 Credits.

Professional Practice for the Nurse Specialist, 25 Credits.

Integrating Professional Practice in Midwifery, 10 Credits.

Clinical Midwifery I, 20 Credits.

Problem-Based Midwifery, 10 Credits.

Clinical Midwifery II, 20 Credits.

Clinical Midwifery Practice, 40 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Practice within the ethical-legal parameters of the nursing and midwifery profession and resolve professional-ethical dilemmas by using decision-making and moral reasoning models.
2. Apply knowledge of basic research methodology in the appraisal of articles in the field of Midwifery and Neonatal care.
3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of midwifery and neonatal nursing care of patients in a variety of clinical settings, to promote health outcomes.
4. Demonstrate the ability to render and coordinate comprehensive midwifery and neonatal healthcare in a variety of healthcare settings to promote health outcomes.
5. Apply scientific knowledge and principles of the systematic review and guideline development process, to evaluate and review the standard of guidelines used in midwifery and neonatal care.
6. Apply principles of evidence-based care to ensure quality midwifery and neonatal healthcare.
7. Demonstrate the ability to implement strategies to develop self and peers by promoting self-directedness through a process of precepting and mentoring.
8. Demonstrate the ability to manage midwifery and neonatal services by implementing effective medico-legal norms, practices, and standards within an interprofessional team.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1.

Use critical decision-making and moral reasoning models to guide clinical practice and resolve professional-ethical dilemmas within Midwifery and Neonatal care.

Apply the relevant latest legislation, policies, protocols, regulations, guidelines, directives and applicable ethics regarding Midwifery and Neonatal care in practice.

Use the professional or ethical legal frameworks guide of Midwife Specialist practice.

Practice and facilitate advocacy for the rights of women, partners or husbands, children, and families in their best interests.

Interpret and apply ethical codes, professional accountability, responsibility, confidentiality, and standards for the practice of Midwifery and Neonatal nursing consistently and correctly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2.

Illustrate academic writing skills in research reports.

Appraise research articles in the field of midwifery and neonatal healthcare through the application of basic knowledge of research methodology.

Accurately differentiate qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research designs.

Integrate evidence-based practice of research findings for safe, effective, and efficient practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3.

Promote health outcomes through the demonstration of knowledge of midwifery and neonatal specialist care of patients in a variety of clinical settings.

Interpret and use epidemiological data on mother-and-child health to plan a community awareness programme or campaign.

Use biomedical, pharmacology and psychosocial sciences to explain the interpretation of health assessment findings and management of conditions affecting pregnant women and neonates.

Compare and debate the best available evidence, theories, or models on mother-and-child health.

Recommend and communicate legislation that applies to mother-and-child health and authorities.

Debate, recommend and communicate the influence of the social, political, cultural, and economic developments within the country on the provision of Midwifery and Neonatal nursing care and to authorities to improve Midwifery and Neonatal practice.

Interpret subjective and objective assessment findings, results from investigations and laboratory results to make a nursing diagnosis.

Use comprehensive individual, people-centered, inter-professional midwifery, and neonatal specialist treatment plans based on assessment findings and standardized national and contextually appropriate guidelines.

Explain and debate the rationale and safety measures of technology used in assessing and treating pregnant women and neonates.

Explore and debate care pathways and the referral system.

Use Medico-legal standards (national core standards) to audit files of pregnant women and neonates.

Evaluate the accuracy of data on mother-and-child health care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4.

Promote health outcomes through rendering and coordinating Midwifery and Neonatal specialist nursing care across the different levels of healthcare provision.

Raise community awareness through the implementation of epidemiologically informed programmes.

Apply underlying theories that endorse the role of the Midwife Specialist.

Create and sustain a healthy environment for pregnant women, mothers, and their infants of different ages across the health continuum, which is based on the best available evidence and resources.

Clinical reasoning is demonstrated by considering social determinants of health and all relevant clinical findings to make a diagnosis.

Execute and coordinate comprehensive individualized family-centered care plans, which are based on assessment findings.

Execute and coordinate comprehensive, individualized family-centered care plans for healthy and sick neonates, which are based on assessment findings, are competently within an inter-professional team.

Use technology appropriately and safely while providing specialized care for pregnant women and neonates to facilitate diagnosis, monitoring, and management thereof.

Use principles of health dialogue to negotiate the care plan with the pregnant women and significant others.

Use care pathways and efficient referral systems appropriately and effectively.

Manage emergencies during pregnancy, intrapartum and postnatal periods according to the best available evidence and national protocols.

Document midwife specialist care according to care and legal standards.

Audit records of pregnant women to evaluate the standard of care.

Capture maternal and neonatal health data accurately and utilized it to improve midwifery practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5.

Evaluate and report current evidence-based guidelines in Midwifery and Neonatal practice at predetermined times to improve health care.

Illustrate academic and professional writing skills in reports and guidelines.

Formulate research questions according to the patient/population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) format and any other formats.

Critically appraise evidence-based practice, theories or models on mother and child and best practice guidelines are adopted to improve health care service delivery.

Search databases by using Boolean and other information search strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6.

Promote quality of patient care and safety in Midwifery and Neonatal care by implementing evidence-based practice.

Use systematic reviews to improve client experience and outcomes in Midwifery and Neonatal healthcare.

Perform quality audits aimed at improving patient services at predetermined times.

Critique, develop and implement clinical standards for midwifery and neonatal healthcare.

Continuously monitor patient outcomes in Midwifery and Neonatal healthcare, including quality patient care and safety.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7.

Apply precepting and mentoring processes to develop self and peers.

Use activities towards enhancing Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Develop thinking and reasoning processes of self and others through facilitation of learning.

Apply learning theories in own development and the development of others.

Create a positive learning environment by supporting peers and novices.

Establish and use academic networks to sustain personal development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8.

Manage Midwifery and Neonatal health services according to medico-legal norms, practices, and standards within an inter-professional team.

Illustrate appropriate leadership styles within the Midwifery and Neonatal inter-professional team.

Create and document shared decision-making opportunities regarding Midwifery and Neonatal healthcare services.

Access and use benchmarks and best practices to develop indicators for quality and cost-effectiveness in Midwifery and Neonatal nursing.

Mobilize and utilize resources to optimize midwifery and neonatal nursing care.

Analyze and optimize care pathways and referral systems.

Apply and coordinate the activities of the inter-professional team within midwifery and neonatal nursing care well.

Use morbidity and mortality data on midwifery and neonatal care for decision-making.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Country: United Kingdom
Institution: Middlesex University of London (MUL)
Qualification title: Midwifery BSc Honours
Duration: three years.

Entry requirements:
There are general entry requirements as well as subject-specific requirements for the course.

Advanced Diplomas and Progression Diplomas.
Or

Recognition of previous learning and experience.
Or

BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children's Play, Learning and Development (NQF).
Or

CACHE Level 3 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Child Care and Education.

Modules

Foundations of Midwifery.

Foundations of Professional Practice in Midwifery. Compares with Professional Practice for the Nurse Specialist.

Midwifery Practice. Compares with Clinical Midwifery Practice.

Approaches to Health and Social Care Research.

Consolidating midwifery care during labour and birth.

Consolidating antenatal and postnatal care.

Assessment
The course will provide learners with opportunities to test their knowledge and understanding informally through formative assessment. Formative assessment for this course is provided through a variety of learning and teaching approaches adopted to meet the needs of a diverse learner population within the programme.

The formal summative assessment usually occurs towards the end of the module, although there may be periodic assessments that contribute to your final mark for that module. Assessment methods could include clinical assessments in our clinical skills department, case study assessments online, and the EMORA which is the clinical document for assessment in practice.

Similarities

The Middlesex University of London (MUL) and South African (SA) qualifications require learners who completed an Advanced Diploma and accept learners through recognition of previous learning and experience.

Both MUL and SA qualifications share similar modules such as Clinical Midwifery Practice and Professional Practice for the Nurse Specialist.

Both MUL and SA qualifications assess learners through formative and summative assessments.

Difference

The MUL qualification is offered over a period of three years full-time, while the SA qualification is offered over a period of one year full-time.

Country: United States of America
Institution: Penn Nursing University of Pennsylvania (PNUP)
Qualification title: Nurse-Midwifery
Duration: One year full-time.

Entry requirements

Learners must have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at an accredited college or university.

Purpose/rationale
To prepare midwives for a midwifery practice focused on providing family-centred, comprehensive care to essentially healthy women and their families.
To develop well-rounded midwives and highly competent clinicians, and an effective and culturally sensitive patient advocate while learning to manage a team within the varied systems of healthcare delivery.

Upon completion of this qualification, learners will:

Use utilization of information technology to provide and promote high-quality health care to women and their families.

Provide primary health care for women throughout their lifetime.

Be able to empower women to participate in their own health care.

A provider of women's health care autonomously, yet collaboratively, within the context of an interdisciplinary health care team.

Modules

Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology.

Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Nursing Practice.

Advanced Physical Assessment and Clinical Decision Making.

Professional Issues in Midwifery. Comperes with Professional Practice for the Nurse Specialist

Integration Midwifery Integration. Comperes with Integrating Professional Practice in Midwifery.

Similarities

The Penn Nursing University of Pennsylvania (PNUP) and South African (SA) qualifications requires learners who completed a Bachelor's degree.

Both PNUP and SA qualifications share a similar purpose/rationale in which it aims to prepare midwives for a midwifery practice focused on providing family-centred, comprehensive care to essentially healthy women and their families.

Both PNUP and SA qualifications are offered for a period of one year full-time.

Both PNUP and SA qualifications share similar modules such as Integration Midwifery Integration and Professional Issues in Midwifery.

Both PNUP and SA qualifications share similar exit-level outcomes which are more focused on demonstrating the ability to ensure quality midwifery and neonatal healthcare.

Country: Australia
Institution: University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Qualification Title: Graduate Diploma in Midwifery
Duration: one-year full time
NQF Level: Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 8.
Credits 48

Entry requirements:

A bachelor's degree in nursing or the equivalent and registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
Or

Registered nurses who do not have a level 7 Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification in nursing may be admitted with an alternative mode of entry assessment and recent clinical nursing experience.

Purpose/Rationale:
This qualification is designed to meet the learner needs of registered nurses wishing to gain registration to practise midwifery. It provides a broad theoretical and clinical study in midwifery and includes a discussion of professional, socio-political, and ethical-legal issues related to the family, and research skills that enhance midwifery practice and interpersonal processes. Learners undertake concurrent employment as midwifery learners in an accredited midwifery unit. The qualification requires concurrent employment in an accredited midwifery unit for one year (four days a week) for learners to meet the requirements to gain midwifery registration with the National Board of Nursing and Midwifery.

Qualification structure:

Translating Research into Midwifery Practice, 6 Credits.

Midwifery as Primary Healthcare: Public Health Strategy, 3 Credits.

Promoting, Supporting and Protecting Breastfeeding, 3 Credits.

Power, Politics and Midwifery, 6 Credits.

Midwifery Practice 1, 6 Credits. Compares with Clinical Midwifery Practice I.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: Women and Babies, 6 Credits.

Perinatal Mental Health, 6 Credits.

Midwifery Practice 2, 6 Credits. Compares with Clinical Midwifery Practice II.

Midwifery in Complex Situations, 6 Credits.

Similarities:

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and South African (SA) qualifications are offered for a period of one year full-time.

Both UTS and SA qualifications require learners who completed a bachelor's degree.

Both UTS and SA qualifications are designed for learners to meet the requirements to gain midwifery registration with the National Board of Nursing and Midwifery and SANC for the South African qualification.

Both UTS and SA qualifications share similar modules such as Midwifery Practice I and Midwifery Practice II.

Differences:

The UTS qualification has 48 credits while the SA qualification has 120 credits.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing and Health Services Management, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Medicine, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Nursing Honours, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Nursing Science Honours, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Nursing Science: Advanced Midwifery, NQF Level 9.

Master of Nursing Science: Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science, NQF Level 9.

Master of Nursing, NQF Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	Nelson Mandela University