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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Midwifery 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
121196  Advanced Diploma in Midwifery 
ORIGINATOR
KWAZULU-NATAL COLLEGE OF NURSING 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced 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 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0920/23  2023-11-14  2026-11-14 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-11-14   2030-11-14  

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 Advanced Diploma in Midwifery is to produce competent, independent, and critical-thinking midwives who will provide scientific, safe, comprehensive, holistic, community-oriented and quality midwifery care to individuals, families, and communities within the legal and ethical framework.
This qualification strives to produce competent, service-driven Midwives, who understand and value the practice of culturally competent care and can effect positive changes in healthcare practices for clients.

This qualification will provide theoretical engagement, sound clinical judgement, intellectual independence, and competence in midwifery care.

It will enable midwives to have the capacity to assess and implement midwifery practice and policies in a range of contexts to render professional, evidence-based and competent midwifery practice in all health care settings taking into consideration priority health needs and issues of women.
This qualification provides midwives with a wide range of skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to make a meaningful and sustained contribution to midwifery services.

On successful completion of the learning outcomes, the learner will be awarded an Advanced Diploma in Midwifery and will be responsible for providing and evaluating midwifery care in all settings for the promotion of health, prevention of complications, care of unhealthy women and neonates, and functions as a member of a health team. The Midwife will be registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) to practice as a Midwife in accordance with R1497.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Apply specific knowledge of Bio-Natural, and Social Sciences including Pharmacology in Midwifery using an integrated approach.
  • Provide safe and quality midwifery and neonatal care in a scientific, integrated and evidence-based approach in all care settings.
  • Demonstrate an ability to practice independently and professionally within an appropriate ethical-legal framework.
  • Improve the quality of midwifery and neonatal care through an analytic, reflective, and problem-solving approach.
  • Effectively manage a midwifery unit through clinical governance strategy.

    Rationale:
    The Advanced Diploma in Midwifery qualification will enable the learner to function as a clinically focused, service-orientated, independent midwife, who can render comprehensive midwifery care from the pre-natal stage to the postnatal stage.

    According to the World Health Organisation (2006) report, there was slow progress towards the achievement of the reduction of maternal mortality rate (MMR) due to shortages of professional midwives in many countries in Africa.

    In sustainable development goal number 3, the reduction of the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by the year 2030 is proposed, including ending preventable deaths of new-borns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.

    The National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 goal number ten aims at reducing maternal, infant and child mortality, reducing under-five child mortality from 56 to below 30 per 1 000 live births. It further projects that approximately 97% of pregnant women attend at least one antenatal clinic and 89% of children are fully immunised at one year old. The rate of hospital births is also high, indicating a high rate of interaction of pregnant women and young children with the health system. Improving the quality of antenatal and postnatal care and using health information to follow up on patients can contribute to reducing unnecessary deaths.

    In South Africa, Pick et al (2001) found that 80% of midwifery and neonatal services in the country are delivered by midwives and given the high peri-natal and maternal mortality and morbidity rates, it is essential to have a properly trained midwifery practitioner who can provide quality midwifery and neonatal nursing.

    South Africa is struggling to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes despite substantial investment in health compared to most countries in Africa and the world.

    The Advanced Diploma in Midwifery programme will contribute to the production of Midwives who are who will be:
  • Able to function as clinically focused, service-oriented independent registered Midwives.
  • Equipped with critical thinking and decision-making skills and capable of functioning beyond the defined scope.

    This qualification is primary care oriented therefore, responding to primary health care re-engineering, ensuring that midwives attend to mothers and babies at the lowest level of care within their socio-cultural context taking into consideration the ethical and legal framework of midwifery practice. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits.
  • Safe Motherhood 1, 24 Credits.
  • Neonatal Care 1, 8 Credits.
  • Community Oriented Midwifery, 16 Credits.
  • Applied Fundamentals of Midwifery Practice, 8 Credits.
  • Unit Management & Professional Practice, 16 Credits.
  • Safe Motherhood 2, 28 Credits.
  • Neonatal Care 2, 12 Credits.
  • Contemporary Midwifery issues, 8 Credits. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Exit Level Outcomes
    1. Apply specific knowledge of Bio-Natural and Social Sciences including Pharmacology in Midwifery using an integrated approach.
    2. Provide safe and quality midwifery and neonatal care in a scientific, integrated and evidence-based approach in all care settings.
    3. Practice independently and professionally within an appropriate ethical-legal framework.
    4. Examine and improve the quality of midwifery and neonatal care through an analytic, reflective, and problem-solving approach.
    5. Effectively manage a midwifery unit through clinical governance strategy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1.
  • Apply knowledge of Bio-Natural Sciences and Pharmacology during the assessment and care of the mother and neonate.
  • Apply knowledge of Social Sciences in counselling and advocating for a mother and baby through the preconception, antenatal, intrapartum, and post-natal stages.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply care and prepare woman and family for pregnancy, childbirth, and family changes appropriately, takes into consideration the woman's context/background and is facilitated by means of ante-natal classes and appropriate health promotion through education.
  • Apply critical knowledge and conduct comprehensive obstetric history taking and physical examination of the mother, using a variety of available technology.
  • Apply knowledge of anatomical and physiological changes related to conception, pregnancy, and labour in the practice of midwifery.
  • Evaluate and interpret observations of significant changes and laboratory results accurately and appropriately refer to where a potential risk to mother and /or foetus exists.
  • Apply an understanding and monitor the well-being of the foetus by monitoring foetal movement, heart rates and growth using a variety of available technology.
  • Monitor and manage the mother during labour and delivery comprehensively, demonstrating an understanding of the physiology of labour, the technology used to monitor the mother and the wellbeing of the foetus.
  • Manage the new-born, demonstrating an understanding of the changes taking place in the newborn baby.
  • Identify, manage, and appropriately refer potential and actual emergencies of the mother and or foetus timeously.
  • Comply with generally accepted regional, national, and provincial treatment guidelines, and promote the safety of both, for example, CARMMA, BANC protocol, ESMOE, saving mothers, etc. in intra-partum care delivered to the mother and baby.
  • Provide integrated post-natal care, that provides for the long-term wellbeing of the mother and the child, in line with the accepted scope of practice for midwives.
  • Document, manage and communicate midwifery data to support decision-making.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply knowledge of relevant ethics, professional practice, and legal aspects during ethical decision-making in midwifery practice.
  • Advocate for the rights of women, children, and their families in midwifery practice.
  • Apply knowledge to show appreciation of accountability and responsibility for own professional acts and omissions within the relevant legal and ethical parameters.
  • Respect human rights as enshrined in the Constitution and translated into the patient's rights in the practice of midwifery.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Apply knowledge and implement quality improvement of midwifery practice that illustrates the use of analytic, reflective, and problem-solving skills.
  • Apply an understanding and initiate, maintain, and utilise methods of inquiry to monitor the quality of care.
  • Develop a quality improvement plan in accordance with own roles and responsibilities, scope of practice and standards of midwifery practice.
  • Utilise evidence-based practice to inform and improve the standards of midwifery practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Engage in communities of practice and clinical leadership and employ management principles in midwifery practice.
  • Utilise indicators for quality midwifery care in the practice of midwifery.
  • Promote cost-effectiveness in midwifery practice through the utilisation of quality indicators.
  • Apply existing unit philosophy, vision, mission, goals, policies, procedures, and protocols to direct midwifery care.
  • Collaborate with inter-professional teams and reflect respect for diversity within the midwifery context.
  • Manage the midwifery unit, reflecting the ability to assess and develop self and others to maintain midwifery standards of practice and continuous professional development. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: United Kingdom (UK)
    Institution: Middlesex University London
    Qualification title: Midwifery with Professional Registration
    Duration: 18 months
    Credits: 180

    Entry requirements:
  • Tailored towards qualified adult nurses who are on the NMC Professional Register
    Or
  • 70 credit points at diploma level.
    And
  • 12 months experience working as a nurse.

    Purpose:
    Midwives are the key professionals providing maternity care for mothers and babies. Midwives must have the appropriate knowledge and skills to recognise, assess and communicate risk and be proficient and confident in supporting women, babies, and their families in all aspects of childbirth. You will explore wider perspectives in midwifery including ethics in healthcare, the public health role of the midwife and develop management skills.

    The shortened Midwifery BSc has been developed in partnership with local NHS hospitals, which means that up to 50% of teaching takes place in London's leading maternity wards.
    This course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and leads to eligibility to receive the status of a Registered Midwife. This means the course is professionally recognised for being of the highest quality, focused on developing the knowledge and skills that employers require.
    Our modules will help you progress towards the role of autonomous midwife practitioners, competent to deal with a variety of normal and/ or challenging situations in midwifery practice. You will learn the midwives' roles, responsibilities and spheres of practice when providing care to healthy women and their babies during pregnancy, labour and postnatally, and integrate theory with practice building on existing knowledge and skills.

    The learner will:
  • Spend half your time doing practical work at your placement hospital. Our partner hospitals include Whittington Hospital, North Middlesex Hospital, and Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
  • Get extensive practice in interprofessional working while you study. Clinical practice weeks will require you to work shifts and experience the 24-hour, seven-day care cycle to develop your understanding of women's and babies' needs throughout 24 hours.
  • The caseload will be purposefully small so you're able to practice proficiency and continuity while being supported by a mentor.
  • Practice the theories of the classroom in our high-tech nursing and midwifery simulation suites which feature Hololens simulations for you to safely practise skills such as resuscitation and dealing with complex care needs and your understanding of women's and babies' needs throughout 24 hours.

    Qualification structure:

    Modules:
    Anatomy and physiology for midwifery practice.
    Foundations for midwifery practice is similar to Applied Fundamentals of Midwifery Practice.
    The role of the midwife in the examination of the newborn: Part 1.
    Complex Care and Managing Emergencies in Midwifery Practice is similar to with Contemporary Midwifery issues.
    The role of the midwife in the examination of the newborn: Part 2.
    The Professional Midwife in Autonomous Midwifery Practice.

    Similarities:
  • The Middlesex University London (MUL) and the South African qualification (SA) accept learners who are practising health care workers and who have a current professional registration.
  • Both the MUL and SA qualifications aim to provide midwives with skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to make a meaningful and sustained contribution to midwifery services.
  • Both MUL and SA qualifications share similar modules such as Foundations for Midwifery Practice similar to Applied Fundamentals of Midwifery Practice and,
  • Complex Care and Managing Emergencies in Midwifery Practice is similar to Contemporary Midwifery issues.

    Differences:
  • The MUL qualification is offered over 18 months, whereas the SA qualification is offered over 12 months.
  • The MUL qualification has 180 credits, whereas the SA qualification has 120 credits.
  • With the MUL qualification, the learner will spend half the time doing practical work at a placement hospital whereas the SA qualification will provide a moderate level of theoretical engagement.

    Country: Australia
    Institution: Western Sydney University (WSU)
    Qualification Title: Graduate Diploma in Midwifery
    NQF Level: AQF Level: 8
    Credits: 80
    Duration: 14 months full-time.

    Entry requirements: Learner should have a 12-month position of employment as a Registered Nurse/midwifery student in an affiliated NSW Health Local Health District hospital or a Maternity Unit in a Private Hospital.

    Purpose:
    The Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is a program for registered nurses wishing to pursue a career in Midwifery. The program prepares graduates for eligibility to apply for registration throughout Australia as a registered midwife. The program combines theory and practice with an emphasis on woman-centred care, the art and science of midwifery, health promotion, communication skills, evidence-based practice, and models of midwifery care within a primary health care approach. To be eligible for this program students are required to obtain a 12-month position of employment as a Registered Nurse/midwifery student in an affiliated NSW Health Local Health District hospital or a Maternity Unit in a Private Hospital. The program will be offered over 14 months with the students completing the last subject in Summer B of the second year.

    On successful completion of an accredited program, a learner will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

    Qualification structure:

    Modules:
  • Professional Foundations of Midwifery.
  • Foundations of Antenatal and Birth Care, similar to Neonatal Care 1.
  • Foundations of Postnatal and New-born Care.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maternal and New-born Health.
  • Complex Midwifery Care.
  • Complex Midwifery Practice, similar to Applied Fundamentals of Midwifery Practice.
  • Essentials of Best Practice in Midwifery.
  • Preparation for Midwifery Practice.

    This qualification includes hospital placement for practice experience over 12 months.

    Similarities:
  • Both WSU and SA qualifications share similar modules such as Foundations of Antenatal and Birth Care, similar to Neonatal Care 1.
  • Complex Midwifery Practice, similar to Applied Fundamentals of Midwifery Practice.
  • Both the WSU and SA qualifications aim to produce midwives that will be responsible for planning, providing, and evaluating midwifery care in all settings for the promotion of health, prevention of complications, and care of sick women and neonate.

    Differences:
  • The WSU sits at AQF Level 8 of the 10 Level Framework, whereas the SA qualification sits at NQF Level 7 of the 10 Level Framework.
  • The WSU qualification has 80 credit points, whereas the SA qualification has 120 credits.
  • The WSU qualification is offered over 14 months, which includes 12 months of clinical placement for WIL hours, at 32 hours per week. The SA qualification is offered in one year consisting of 40% theory hours and 60% WIL hours.
  • The entry requirements for the SA qualification in addition to the relevant qualification is registration as a Professional Nurse, whereas the AU qualification leads to registration as a professional midwife. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Critical Care Nursing, NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science, NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Occupational Health Nursing, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Nursing in Education and Administration, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science in Education, Management and Community, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Honours in Administration, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing, NQF Level 8.

    Diagonal Articulation
  • Diagonal qualifications are not available. 
    		•

    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. KWAZULU-NATAL COLLEGE OF NURSING 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.