The WHO CC has been working with the Ministry of Health in Samoa, developing a framework to upgrade and rescale the nursing and midwifery workforce so that it may better meet the needs of a health sector wide renewed focus on primary health care and the opening of a new larger teaching hospital. Professor Caroline Homer and Associate Professor Joanne Gray commenced the consultations earlier in the year and recently returned to Samoa with Project Manager Rachel Smith to finalise a framework that provides vision and structure to grow, develop and support Samoa’s nursing and midwifery workforce. The team worked closely with Professor Pelenatete Stowers and other members of the Nursing and Midwifery Directorate.
The framework incorporates pre-registration preparation of nurses and midwives, up-skilling, renewing and continuing competence requirements. With the opening of the new teaching hospital the framework includes a focus on developing a culture of teaching and learning across the nursing and midwifery workforce.
Whilst in Samoa, the team were invited to attend and give a keynote address at the 5th Annual Health Sector Nursing and Midwifery Symposium where the current and potential professional leaders met to present projects and discuss and debate the future of nursing and midwifery in Samoa. Other activities undertaken by the team included research workshops; an emergency skills workshop; meetings with senior members of the Ministry; meetings with WHO and the National University of Samoa representatives; review of the perinatal death audit process; and, attendance at the Nursing and Midwifery Awards. The project is now complete but the WHO CC looks forward to further opportunities to work with the Ministry of Health in Samoa to ensure a fit for purpose workforce is developed and supported to meet the needs of the people of Samoa.