New codes of ethics

A coalition of nursing bodies has launched a series of professional conduct guidelines.

New national codes of ethics and professional conduct for each of the nursing and midwifery professions have been launched in Canberra.

The codes were developed jointly by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) in collaboration with Australian College of Midwives (ACM), the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF), and the Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA).

They were shaped by extensive consultation with the public and input from nurses and midwives across the country.

The Deputy Chair of the ANMC, Adjunct Associate Professor Moira Laverty said the Rudd Government’s ongoing reviews of the health system highlighted the importance of healthcare regulation.

“The role of these codes is to protect healthcare consumers by providing a solid regulatory framework for nurses and midwives and ensuring they are competent to practice,” she said.

“The launch is important to nurses and midwives who are accountable to the community for providing quality care through safe and effective professional work practices.” 

Adjunct Associate Professor Laverty added that the wide-ranging public consultation on the codes demonstrated that the nursing profession takes its responsibility to consumers seriously.

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