SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
123262	Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery
ORIGINATOR
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences 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		Promotive Health and Developmental Services
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 0628/24	2024-11-21	2027-11-21
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-11-21		2031-11-21

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

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery is to strengthen and deepen the learner's knowledge and expertise in nursing and midwifery as a speciality. It will enable the Midwife Specialists to engage in their respective specialist areas of practice with in-depth knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to enhance professional independence and optimum health outcomes. This includes preventing disease, injury and complications. It also entails screening, appropriate management and prompt referral of patients with specific and complex problems in all clinical settings. The qualification further equips the learner with facilitation of teaching and learning including management skills at all levels of practice.

The qualification will:

Produce competent professional specialist midwife practitioners within a wide range of health service settings.

Produce competent, independent, and critically thinking Mmidwifery Specialists within a wide range of midwifery services and skills thereby contributing to meaningful and sustained Specialist Midwifery practice within a wide range of health service settings.

Provide postgraduates with a wide range of skills, knowledge and attributes that will enable them to make a meaningful and sustained contribution to health services nationally and internationally.

Equip postgraduates with a developed sense of equality, justice, and service ethics that will ensure that they work in a responsible and accountable manner, irrespective of their chosen workplace.

Offer a wide range of transferable skills for application in other professions, disciplines and general life including.
> A methodical solution-based approach to problem-solving.
> An empowerment-based approach to the development of self and others.

Competence in written and oral communication.

Capacity to assess and implement health and other policies.

Ability to plan implement and manage projects of a varied nature research capacity.

Rationale:
The South African Healthcare System has adopted a primary healthcare approach which is nurse-led in-depth acquisition of knowledge in a specialist field, discipline and/or practice.
In the interest of the right to access health enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa (Act No. 108 of 1996), the South African Healthcare System is embarking on the National Health Insurance (NHI) to promote access to quality, essential healthcare services and access to safe effective quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. This happens when there is an outcry that there is an increase in the burden of diseases from the quadruple diseases including communicable diseases predominantly HIV and AIDS and TB, non-communicable diseases such as Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, and Cancer, Perinatal and maternal morbidities and injury-related disorders.

There is a continuing shortage of doctors who either give attention to the public sector for their private practice or are specialists in private hospitals. The Nurse Specialist or Midwife Specialist complements the remaining medical fraternity rather than replacing them. Furthermore, the NHI has necessitated a focus on quality to ensure value for money which the knowledgeable Midwife Specialist can drive. This qualification will produce a Midwife Specialist with the competencies required to respond to the reproductive, maternal, neonatal, women and child health needs of the country.

While the seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals promote inter-sectoral collaboration, the Nurse Specialist and Midwife Specialist are appropriately positioned to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of all ages through their active engagement in promotive, preventive, curative and developmental health services which are components of the Primary Health Care. The South African Nursing Council (SANC) realigned the nursing qualifications to the changes in the NQF Act, 67 of 2008. New nursing education standards and curriculum guidelines have been published. The scope of practice of the envisaged new nursing cadres has been incorporated into this qualification.

On successful completion of the qualification, the graduate will be registered as a Midwife Specialist with the SANC to practice as defined by the Nursing Act No. 33 of 2005.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

The institution's recognition of prior learning processes is used to increase access to qualifications by individuals through experience at the workplace, experiences through daily life or credit-bearing exemption. In the case of postgraduate diploma programmes experience must be aligned to nursing and midwifery as well as to the speciality of choice.

RPL for access:

Recognition of Prior Learning may be considered where a learner enters a qualification through non-traditional means, e.g., learners who do not meet the academic requirements for admission into a qualification may access that qualification based on their work experience.

Learners should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio of evidence detailing their experience, or they may challenge an examination on that module that they require recognition on. The outcome may determine admission or an award of credits toward the module.

RPL for exemption from modules:
Learners can enter a qualification by exemption from the module/s that have been completed.

The learner may not be exempted from more than 50% of the prescribed credits towards obtaining the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Advanced Diploma in Midwifery, NQF Level 7.
Or

Advanced Diploma in a Nursing-related field, NQF Level 7.
Or

Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 7, NQF Level 7.
Or

Bachelor of Nursing Science, NQF Level 7.
And

Registered/professional nurse and midwife with the South African Nursing Council (SANC).
And

At least two years' experience as a registered nurse. This experience is inclusive of Community service.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 140 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits:

Ethos and professional practice, 8 Credits.

Evidence-based practice, 12 Credits.

Professional and career development, 4 Credits.

Specialist Midwifery Care 1, 32 Credits.

Specialist Midwifery Care 2, 40 Credits.

Midwifery Practice Specialist, 44 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Practice and facilitate specialist midwifery care within the ethical and legal parameters of the profession.
2. Apply the knowledge of and facilitate evidence-based practice in the specialised midwifery field to solve contextual problems and develop policies and guidelines.
3. Appraise and develop self, peers and Midwife Specialist learners by facilitating self-directedness/leadership and lifelong learning to maintain competence.
4. Facilitate advocacy for the profession and provision of specialised midwifery professional support for personnel, patients or clients, families and communities.
5. Engage in planning, commissioning and managing specialised midwifery units.
6. Engage in scholarly activities to inform evidence-based practice in specialised midwifery units.
7. Utilise, manage and communicate data to support decision-making and research.
8. Render and coordinate patient-centred specialist nursing or midwifery practice within a continuum of care using the scientific approach, integrating biomedical and psychosocial sciences including advanced pharmacology.
9. Mobilise appropriate resources to implement standards of practice relevant to midwifery specialisation, to ensure quality patient care and safety.
10. Collaborate within the inter- and intra-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision making and sound clinical judgement.
11. Participate in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of midwifery policies, programmes and projects at provincial or national level.
12. Develop and implement institutional policies, protocols, and guidelines in midwifery, utilising the process of change management in the improvement of quality of care.

Associated Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Conform to the relevant code of ethics and behaviour in the practice of specialised midwifery care.

Apply critical decision-making, and moral reasoning models and principles to make clinical judgements and resolve ethical dilemmas within the specialised midwifery practice.

Account for own professional judgement, actions, and outcomes of specialised midwifery care and provide continued competence.

Identify and apply the relevant current legislation, policies, regulations and guidelines pertaining to specialised midwifery practice.

Document accurately, comprehensively and timeously all specialised midwifery care activities considering the legal requirements for record keeping.

Discuss the Midwife Specialist's role in the management of misconduct and risks taking into consideration the institutional protocols, protocols and ethical-legal framework.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Engage in specialised midwifery practice and the process of evidence-based practice.

Apply the evidence-based specialised midwifery practice and appropriate methodology of gathering evidence for practice, education and management, for example, systematic or scoping reviews, and appraisal of articles, practice based-research and publication.

Use of evidence-based specialised midwifery practice and critically analyse the various levels of evidence.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Apply leadership skills appropriate to leadership styles, principles and theories of midwifery management.

Effectively facilitate Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for self and others as well as for lifelong learning by creating a positive learning climate in the workplace through the processes of mentorship, preceptorship, supervision, and performance appraisal.

Conduct the performance appraisal processes as part of the performance management and development system.

Utilise the feedback gained from self-reflection, peers, learners, management and other relevant stakeholders to improve effectiveness in the Midwife Specialist role.

Examine various risk factors that impact health and wellness within the workplace and apply strategies to care for self, peers, employees and learners.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Discuss the purpose of the advocacy role for a Midwife Specialist.

Apply advocacy principles to ensure safe and quality care in various midwifery care settings.

Use appropriate communication skills and channels in facilitating advocacy.

Lobby and/or participate in interest groups to influence legislation and policy affecting the role performance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Critically analyse the levels and or classification of the respective specialised midwifery units.

Delegate tasks considering the burden of diseases and priority services as determined by current events.

Participate in the evaluation of the existing Midwifery Specialist unit.

Plan and delegate the roles and responsibilities of tasks within the inter and intra-professional team.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Conduct the appropriate search engines and databases for review of the literature to inform midwifery evidence-based practice.

Use appropriate methods to generate evidence for utilization in midwife specialist practice (e.g. research, systematic reviews etc.)

Peer review journals and share evidence.

Base activities on scientifically proven evidence in the midwifery specialist practice.

Actively participate in inter and intra-professional dialogues, debates or discourses in quality improvement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Collect all data/information/ documents in the context of the midwife specialist practice, for utilisation and storage in accordance with the set standards.

Utilise the comprehensive data, information and emerging evidence pertinent to the respective specialist practice.

Identify problems and diagnose opportunities for improvement based on gathered and critically analysed assessment data from the patients/clients, families, communities, learners or employees including current scientific evidence.

Respect intellectual property and avoid plagiarism in all documents.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Discuss the position of specialised midwifery service within the health care system.

Perform the full range of services within the specialised midwifery practice.

Render specialised midwifery care that integrates promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care in a healthcare continuum.

Apply knowledge, skill and attitudes to render specialised midwifery care in accordance with national and international standards and protocols of the specialised midwifery practice.

Formulate nursing or midwifery diagnoses congruent with the patient's/client's clinical manifestations/data based on accurate analysis and interpretation of data obtained from scientific, laboratory, diagnostic, technological and psycho-sociocultural assessment including consultation of relevant/current literature/evidence.

Plan individualised midwifery interventions considering the patient's/client's needs, values, beliefs, preferences, culture and contextual variables, for example, disease burden, health risks, national priorities, etc.

Plan midwifery interventions based on formulated nursing diagnoses, and application of specialised knowledge and skills (competencies) including advanced pharmacology in collaboration with the inter- and intra-professional team.

Implement timeously, accurately, safely and effectively the planned midwifery interventions in accordance with set evidenced-based midwifery standards, guidelines, protocols and algorithms.

Plan health care interventions in collaboration with the patient or client, family and relevant members of the health care team.

Prepare nursing interventions to include patients/clients, families, and nurses in the lower-level care for continued care in the hospital and community in accordance with the health status and health literacy of the patient/client.

Document and revise timeously and effectively midwifery interventions based on critical analysis of the monitoring and evaluation data and reaching a sound clinical judgement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:

Identify the infrastructure and equipment needed in the midwifery specialisation.

Render care, operate and monitor the equipment used in the specialised midwifery.

Employ sound asset management principles to ensure appropriate, adequate, well-maintained and up-to-date equipment.

Assign staff to nurse care considering the specialist qualification and its competencies, experience, standard nurse-patient ratios for the specialised midwifery, job description and skill mix.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:

Identify, share and collaboratively solve practice problems in the midwifery specialist area by informed decisions and sound clinical judgement.

Appropriately and timeously consult in the provision of holistic care in a healthcare continuum through awareness of one's competence.

Appropriately and timeously carry out patient referrals as dictated by the patient's condition and in accordance with the referral guidelines.

Promote visible participation recognised by the members of the team in the inter-and intra-professional team.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:

Participate in the development of policies, programmes and projects and apply the steps in the development of policies, programmes and projects.

Critically analyse own role and responsibilities within the inter- and intra-professional policy/project team in project and policy development.

Participate in advocacy for the nursing profession and patients/clients, families and communities in the specialist area.

Participate in project development including appropriate communication (negotiation, bargaining, assertiveness, persuasion, etc.).

Timely and adequately provide necessary feedback to relevant stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:

Evaluate the process and or steps of development of policies, standards, guidelines and protocols.

Involve relevant and pre-determined stakeholders in the development of policies, standards, protocols and guidelines.

Apply appropriate methods in the development and evaluation or testing of guidelines and protocols.

Implement the new policies, protocols and guidelines to the midwifery specialisation and apply the change process.

Collaboratively revise developed policies, protocols and guidelines at appropriate intervals and approve as per the institutional policy for the midwifery specialisation.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery compares favourably with other postgraduate diplomas in first world countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, as evidenced by the countries' readiness to accept and employ South African graduates. In Africa, the qualification compares favourably with those of Botswana, Swaziland, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia which are South Africa's counterparts in the SADC region. The Core learning general skills approach further increases the applicability of the programme, a recommendation that is supported by the International Council of Nurses. Registered Nurses who qualify for the programmes are highly employable nationally and internationally.

Country: United Kingdom
Institution: London South Bank University
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery
NQF Level 7
Duration: 2 years Full-time
Entry Requirements:
To be eligible for this programme, applicants will need to meet the following entry criteria:

A registered adult nurse (level 1) with current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

A bachelor's degree with a minimum of 2:2: with a minimum qualification of a Diploma in Higher Education with evidence of study at Level 6.

At least 6 months post-qualification clinical experience as an adult nurse on the NMC register in the United Kingdom.

Purpose:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery aims to:

Develop midwives who meet the Standards of proficiency for midwives and become eligible for registration with the NMC.

Develop skilled, knowledgeable, respectful and compassionate midwives, able to provide woman-centred care across a range of settings to ensure the provision of safe and effective care for women their families and the wider community.

Build upon existing knowledge, skills and experience, recognising the diversity, richness and relevance of nursing knowledge to enhancing midwifery practice.

Develop midwives who embrace cultural safety, recognise equality, diversity and inclusion and acknowledge the need to address their own biases and prejudices to challenge racism and inequality.

Develop midwives who will act as leaders and change agents, aware of the significance of innovation, creativity and best available evidence in the evaluation and development of woman-centred care and maternity services.

Promote collaborative working with service users and interdisciplinary and multiagency teams in contemporary midwifery practice.

The qualification focuses on the promotion of normality, i.e. the framing of childbirth as a normal physiological process which most women will undergo in their lifetime. The qualification also acknowledges that several women have more complex needs where technological help will be needed.

Learners are expected to achieve the theoretical and practice standards stipulated by the NMC to enable learners to perform the role and responsibilities of the Midwife within the context of promoting normality, using preventative measures, detecting complications, accessing appropriate assistance and carrying out emergency measures in the absence of medical aid.

Qualification structure:
The qualification consists of the 50% theory block and 50% practice block each year.

Year 1

Universal care needs of the woman and newborn infant comparable to Specialist Midwifery Care.

The Midwife and Public Health comparable to Specialist Midwifery Care.

Additional care for women with complications comparable to Specialist Midwifery Care.

Developing competent midwifery practice (Year 1 Practice) comparable to Specialist Midwifery Practice.

Year 2

Care and management of the newborn infant with additional care needs comparable to Specialist Midwifery Care.

Leading and promoting excellence in Midwifery Practice: Applying the evidence comparable to Evidence-based practice.

Emergency care and management of mother and newborn infant comparable to Specialist Midwifery Care.

Proficient midwifery practice (year 2 practice) comparable to Specialist Midwifery Practice.

Assessment
Assessment methods are specified in each module descriptor with details in the individual module guides; these are designed to test the module and course learning outcomes. These are mapped to the professional standards outlined in the Future Midwife: Standards of Proficiency for Midwives and will be assessed through either coursework and/or clinical proficiencies.

The types of assessments adopted include:

Written assignments such as narrative and reflective essays, case studies, evidence-based scenarios and critical analysis assignments, to develop the integration of theory and practice and to critically examine selected aspects of care and suggest strategies for quality improvement.

Care studies to develop skills in articulating knowledge and decision-making processes.

Oral and poster presentations to enable the student to demonstrate their ability to identify relevant information and articulate practice-focused decisions based on their assessment and interpretation.

Literature searching and critical appraisal to identify and examine the evidence for the quality of midwifery care.

Examinations to test underpinning knowledge and decision-making.

A variety of assessment methods are used to assess practical skills. These include.

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), modified viva, and practice scenarios to provide a simulated experience in which knowledge and skills can be demonstrated.

Case reviews, history taking and assessment skills.

The achievement of identified proficiencies is assessed in practice with the use of the practice assessment document - Midwifery on-going record of achievement (MORA).

Similarities:

The London South Bank University (LSBU) and the South African (SA) qualifications require applicants who completed the Bachelor of Nursing and are registered with the Nursing Council.

Both qualifications share the same aims/purposes to develop skilled, knowledgeable, respectful, and compassionate midwives, able to provide woman-centred care across a range of settings to ensure the provision of safe and effective care for women their families and the wider community.

Both qualifications consist of the same compulsory modules.

The LSBU and the SA qualifications use the same assessment methods.

Differences:

The LSBU qualification takes two years of full-time study whereas the SA qualification takes one year of full-time study.

The LSBU qualification is registered at Level 7 while the SA qualification is registered at Level 8 on the NQF.

Country: Australia
Institution: Western Sydney University
Qualification Title: Graduate Diploma in Midwifery
NQF Level: AQF Level: 8
Credits: 80 Credit Points
Duration: 14 months full-time.
Entry Requirements:

Registered Nurse (Division 1) (currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Nursing and Midwifery)

Must have a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.

Purpose:
The Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is for registered nurses wishing to pursue a career in Midwifery. The qualification prepares graduates for eligibility to apply for registration throughout Australia as a registered midwife. The qualification 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 qualification learners 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.

On successful completion of an accredited qualification, learners will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
The Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia on recommendation by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.

Year 1:

Professional Foundations of Midwifery, 10 credit points comparable to Specialist Midwifery Care.

Foundations of Antenatal and Birth Care, 10 credit points comparable to Specialist Midwifery Care.

Foundations of Postnatal and Newborn Care, 10 credit points comparable to Specialist Midwifery Care.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maternal and Newborn Health, 10 credit points comparable to Ethos and professional practice.

Complex Midwifery Care, 10 credit points comparable to Specialist Midwifery Care.

Complex Midwifery Practice, 10 credit points comparable to Specialist Midwifery Practice.

Essentials of Best Practice in Midwifery, 10 credit points. comparable to Specialist Midwifery Practice.

Year 2:

Preparation for Midwifery Practice, 10 credit points comparable to Specialist Midwifery Care.

Similarities:

The Western Sydney University (WSU) and the South African (SA) qualifications are registered at AQF/NQF Level 8.

The WSU and the SA qualifications require applicants who completed a bachelor's degree in the nursing field and are registered Nurses with the Nursing Council in the country of origin.

Both qualifications allow registered nurses with an interest in caring for Pregnant mothers and newborns to further enhance their skills and knowledge and at the same time acquire a formal qualification to become a registered licensed midwife.

Differences:
The WSU qualification is offered over 14 months of full-time study whereas the SA qualification is offered over 12 months of full-time study.

The SA qualification has 120 credits whereas the WSU qualification has 80 credit points.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Nursing Honours in Advanced Practice Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Nursing Honours in Education, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care Nursing, NQF Level 8.

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

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Nursing in Maternal and Child Health, NQF Level 9.

Master of Nursing Science in Maternal and Child Nursing, NQF Level 9.

Master of Nursing, NQF Level 9.

Master of Nursing Science, NQF Level 9.

Master of Health Sciences in Nursing, NQF Level 9.

Diagonal Articulation
There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification.

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.	Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University