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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Midwifery 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
121380  Advanced Diploma in Midwifery 
ORIGINATOR
Free State School 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 1221/24  2024-01-30  2027-01-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-01-30   2031-01-30  

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 Advanced Diploma in Midwifery is to enable the midwife/accoucheur to function as a clinically focused, service-oriented, independent practitioner, who can render quality maternal and child health care services as determined by the appropriate legislative framework.

The qualification will provide a basis for decision-making about what is within and beyond the defined scope of practice, as well as an understanding of the referral system in place for anything outside the scope of practice.

The qualified learner will be able to:
  • Apply evidence-based midwifery practice which is based on research or established practices that have proven to be effective both nationally and internationally within the profession.
  • Apply specific knowledge of Bio-Natural, and Social Sciences including Pharmacology in Midwifery using an integrated approach.
  • Render safe and quality midwifery and neonatal care in a scientific, integrated and evidence-based approach in all care settings.
  • 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.
  • Manage a midwifery unit effectively through clinical governance strategy.

    On successful completion of this qualification, the learner is eligible for registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a midwife/accoucheur.
    The qualification aims to produce competent, independent, and critical-thinking midwife/accoucheur practitioners who will function effectively within the multi-disciplinary team in clinical facilities and primary health care clinics.

    In addition, learner attributes including the following will be integrated into the learning process:
  • Producing high-quality midwives/accoucheurs who are competent midwifery practitioners in clinical facilities and community settings.
  • Providing midwives/accoucheurs with a range of skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to make a meaningful and sustained contribution to maternal and child health care services.
  • Equipping midwives/accoucheurs with a developed sense of equity, justice and service ethics that will ensure that they work in an accountable manner, irrespective of their chosen workplace.
  • Offering a wide range of transferable skills for application in other professions, disciplines, and general life.

    Rationale:
    The vision of the Free State Department of Health is to increase life expectancy through health system effectiveness, drive system change, and ensure sustainable quality services. The mission is to provide quality comprehensive healthcare services to the community, optimally utilise healthcare resources to provide a caring and compassionate service, and endeavour to empower and develop all personnel to the best of their potential. The midwifery qualification will enable the midwife/accoucheur to deal with women's health holistically and provide support before and after conception, during pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and postpartum care. Midwives/accoucheurs operate in many settings in rural or urban areas, home care, community health clinics, and public or private hospital facilities. The midwife/accoucheur monitors and evaluates the mother's health and the baby's health, growth, and position to support and prepare the mother for normal labour and the birth of the baby. The purpose of monitoring, evaluation and care for the mother and baby is to reduce risks of complications before, during, and after birth that results in stillbirths, mother and child morbidity and mortality.

    The Free State province has urban and rural regions with women in far rural areas. Registered nurses who work in urban as well as rural clinical facilities will need the midwifery qualification to render comprehensive midwifery care from pre-conception until after birth and neonatal care. Recent statistics from the three districts in the Free State, give a reflection on the uncomplicated and complicated births, and mother and child morbidity and mortality rates from January to June 2022 in district, regional and academic hospitals. In the far rural regions' primary health clinics, the midwives/accoucheurs must support and monitor women's health before, during, and after birth. After birth, the midwives/accoucheurs monitor the baby's health and provide health education and support to the mother.

    The targeted learners for this qualification are the registered nurses of two cohorts. Firstly, the registered nurses that completed the SANC legacy qualification, Diploma in Nursing (R683 Bridging), and secondly the new higher education Diploma in Nursing (R171). Both qualifications are registered on NQF level 6, thus the Advanced Diploma in Midwifery on NQF level 7 is imperative for nurses' career path to Postgraduate Diplomas on the NQF level 8.
    This qualification will contribute to the self-development of individual nurses' knowledge and skills; improve life expectancies of mother and child health; ensure quality services at health facilities; meet the health demands of the local communities and South Africa; and reduce risks of mother and child related complications and mortalities that have a financial impact due to litigations to the health departments in the Free State and South Africa. 
    		•

    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:
  • Diploma in Nursing, NQF level 6.
    Or
  • Diploma: General Nursing, NQF level 6.
    And
    Registered Professional Nurse with SANC. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.
  • Compulsory Modules, Level 7,120 Credits.
  • Scientific Foundations, 8 Credits.
  • Ante Natal Care, 22 Credits.
  • Intrapartum Care 101, 34 Credits.
  • Intrapartum Care 102, 34 Credits.
  • Post Natal Care, 12 Credits.
  • Professional Practice, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    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. Illustrate an ability to 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 1.
  • Apply knowledge of Bio-Natural Sciences and Pharmacology during the assessment and care of the mother and neonate.
  • Display knowledge of Social Sciences when applying counselling and advocacy for a mother and baby through the preconception, antenatal, intrapartum, and post-natal stages.

    Associated assessment criteria 2.
  • Apply knowledge during the preparation of the woman and family for pregnancy, childbirth and family changes and take into consideration the woman's context or background and is facilitated through ante-natal classes and appropriate health promotion through education.
  • Conduct obstetric history-taking and physical examination of the mother in a comprehensive manner, using a variety of available technology.
  • Integrate knowledge in practising as a midwife to show anatomical and physiological changes related to conception, pregnancy, and labour.
  • Accurately interpret observations of significant changes and laboratory results and make appropriate referrals where potential risks to the mother and /or foetus exist.
  • Manage the well-being of the foetus by monitoring foetal movement, heart rates and growth using a variety of available technologies.
  • Comprehensively monitor and manage the mother during labour and delivery, to show understanding of the physiology of labour, the technology used to monitor the mother and the well-being of the foetus.
  • Illustrate an understanding of newborn management to track changes taking place in the newborn baby.
  • Timeously identify and appropriately manage and refer potential and actual emergencies of the mother and or foetus.
  • Formulate appropriate structure to ensure intra-partum care delivered to the mother and baby complies with generally accepted regional, national, and provincial treatment guidelines, and promotes the safety of both, for example, CARMMA, BANC, ESMOE, Saving mothers, etc.
  • Document, manage and communicate midwifery data to support decision-making.

    Associated assessment criteria 3.
  • Apply applicable ethical codes, professional practice and legal aspects during ethical decision-making in midwifery practice.
  • Engage in advocacy for the rights of women, children and their families in midwifery practice.
  • Take accountability and responsibility for own professional acts and omissions within the relevant legal and ethical parameters is demonstrated.
  • Ensure compliance with midwifery practice to demonstrate respect for human rights as enshrined in the constitution and translated into the patients' rights.

    Associated assessment criteria 4.
  • Illustrate the use of analytic efforts towards quality improvement of midwifery practice, reflective and problem-solving skills.
  • Initiate methods of inquiry that will be maintained and utilized to monitor the quality of care.
  • Improve quality plan and demonstrate knowledge of own roles and responsibilities, scope of practice and standards of midwifery practice.
  • Utilize research findings to inform and improve the standards of midwifery practice.

    Associated assessment criteria 5.
  • Illustrate understanding of the value of communities of practice and clinical leadership and management principles in midwifery practice.
  • Apply midwifery practices and demonstrate the ability to benchmark best practices to develop and utilise indicators for quality midwifery care.
  • Utilise quality indicators to promote cost-effectiveness in midwifery practice.
  • Develop policies, and procedures to manage existing unit philosophy, vision, mission, and goals that direct midwifery care.
  • Apply inter-professional collaboration to reflect respect for diversity within the midwifery context.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    A holistic approach to assessing the achievement of learning outcomes is used. This includes assessing several learning outcomes together, using a range of assessment methods and evidence.

    Learners are assessed through projects and assessment tasks that are aligned with expected learning outcomes and learning activities. Examples are immersive simulation, proficiency tests, clinical case management, integrated practicum examinations, assignments, and reports.
    Formative assessments both theoretical and clinical will be conducted to integrate theory and work-integrated learning.
    Formative theoretical assessments:
  • Two written tests
  • One assignment per module per semester.

    Formative clinical assessments will be conducted in real life in clinical facilities or simulation in the form of a competency-based assessment such as:
  • Skills tasks
  • Assignments
  • Case studies
  • Projects.

    Summative assessments:
  • Examination
  • Practical assessments

    The formative theoretical assessment (semester mark) and examination mark will be the final theoretical mark (50:50%).
    The number of assessments will depend on the module (type) and the number of credits. The summative practical assessment will be conducted at the end of the year in an objective structured clinical evaluation. A combination of the theoretical and practical marks (50:50%) will be the final marks of the module, but to pass the module both (theoretical and practical) marks should have a minimum mark of 50%.

    Moderation
    Both formative and summative assessments will be moderated internally.
    For the formative assessments lecturers set tests and assignments. The head of the department will conduct the internal moderation of the formative assessments.
    For the summative assessments lecturers set the theoretical assessments as well as clinical assessment guidelines. All assessments are moderated by the head of the department internally and an appointed external moderator. No promotion is applicable for this programme. A holistic approach to assess the achievement of learning outcomes is used. This includes assessing several learning outcomes together, using a range of assessment methods and evidence. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Lesotho
    Institution name: Paray School of Nursing Lesotho
    Qualification title: Diploma in Midwifery
    Duration: One year
    Credits: 43

    Entry requirements:
  • Diploma in Nursing and registration certificate with.
    Or
  • Diploma in Nursing second-year transcript pending final results.

    Course structure

    Modules:
  • Antenatal Care compares with Antenatal Care.
  • Labour and Childbirth.
  • Post Natal Care compares with Post Natal Care.
  • Neo-Natal Care.
  • Research in Midwifery.

    Similarities:
  • The Paray School of Nursing Lesotho (PSNL) and the South African (SA) qualification both accept learners who have completed a diploma in nursing.
  • Both qualifications are offered over one year.
  • Both qualifications share similar modules such as Antenatal Care and Post Natal Care.
  • PSNL learners are required to register with the Lesotho Nursing Council.
  • SA qualification learners, similarly, become eligible for registration with the SANC as a midwife/accoucheur.
  • Both qualifications articulate to a Postgraduate Diploma in the related field.

    Differences:
  • The SA qualification has 120 credits whereas the Lesotho qualification has 43 credits.
  • The PSNL qualification has an additional focus on reproductive health.

    Country: Australia
    Institution name: Deakin University Melbourn
    Qualification title: Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery
    Duration: Four years
    Credits: 32 Credits

    Entry requirement:
  • Pass year 12
    Or
    Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalence

    Purpose:
    Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery prepares learners to provide high-quality woman-centred midwifery care and patient-centred nursing care.

    Clinical placements are undertaken in various metropolitan, regional, and rural healthcare settings and provide an opportunity to care for people from diverse cultural backgrounds in a range of healthcare settings. This accredited qualification provides learners with the knowledge, skills, and ethical understanding required to become a successful registered nurse and midwife.

    Course structure:

    Modules:
  • Partnerships in Midwifery 1: Pregnancy Care, compares with Ante Natal Care.
  • Complex Midwifery Care.
  • Neonatal Challenges in Midwifery Practice.
  • Quality and Safety: Midwifery Practice.
  • Midwifery 3: Postnatal, compares with Post Natal Care.

    Similarities:
  • The Deakin University Melbourn (DUM) and the South African (SA) qualifications share a similar purpose.
  • The DUM qualification aims to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and ethical understanding required to become a successful registered nurse and midwife.
  • Similarly, the SA qualification aims at the production of competent, independent, and critical-thinking midwife/accoucheur practitioners who will function effectively within the multi-disciplinary team in clinical facilities and primary health care clinics.
  • Both qualifications share similar modules such as Post Natal Care and Ante Natal Care.
  • For both qualifications the Midwifery Modules are in line with the ICM essential competencies for midwifery practice.
  • Upon completion of the qualification, SA learners are eligible for registration with the SANC as a midwife/accoucheur.
  • Similarly, the DUM learners will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse and Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

    Differences:
  • The DUM qualification can be accessed directly after secondary education and year 12 pass, whereas the SA qualification accepts learners who have passed a Diploma in Nursing.
  • The DUM is offered over four years, whereas the SA qualification is offered over one year. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Trauma and Emergency Nursing, NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Critical Care Nursing, 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.
  • Bachelor of Nursing (480 Credits), NQF Level 8.

    Diagonal Articulation
  • No diagonal articulation options are available. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    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. Free State School 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.