In a bid to get midwives to move to the bush, and stay for at least 18 months, money is on offer.
NSW Health is dangling a $20,000 carrot in front of midwives who choose to relocate and start work in rural, regional and remote NSW as part of a trial starting later this month.
The trial, which forms part of the NSW government’s Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, will run for six months from 30 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, and is aimed at boosting the regional midwifery workforce.
The one-off payment will be available for midwives relocating and starting new roles in Modified Monash Model level three to level seven facilities.
“I’ve said this countless times, worker shortages in our regional, rural and remote communities is the biggest single challenge facing our health system,” said NSW health minister Ryan Park.
“Midwives support the birth of almost 100,000 babies right across our state each year, regardless of where a family lives the importance of providing women, their partners and families with high quality, compassionate care cannot be underestimated.
“With this innovative trial, we are looking at new ways to fill critical vacancies in our regions so we can build a stronger and more supported regional health workforce.”
To be eligible for the bonus midwives must either move from work in an NSW MM1 and MM2 location to work in an NSW MM3 to MM7 location or move from interstate to work in an NSW MM3 to MM7 location. Anyone receiving the bonus must commit to working for 18 months in that position with NSW Health. If the midwife was to leave before the 18-month commitment, they would have to repay a percentage of the sign-on bonus relative to time served.
Eligible midwife classifications include registered midwives Year 2 to Year 8 and thereafter, clinical midwife specialists, clinical midwife educators, clinical midwife consultants, midwifery unit managers, and midwife managers.
Midwives who are already working in NSW MM3 to MM7 locations are not eligible for this scheme.
More information is available here.
