The McGowan Government is calling on midwives who have recently left the profession to consider more flexible work opportunities back in the Western Australian health system, as part of a recruitment campaign to bolster our health workforce.
Like many jurisdictions around the world, WA is experiencing workforce pressures, including increasing demand for experienced midwives.
The Department of Health will write to midwives who have recently retired to offer casual appointments with more flexible working arrangements, in the latest round of ongoing recruitment measures at public hospitals.
Incentives are on offer for regional placements including travel, meal, accommodation and daily allowances.
There are also metropolitan placements available which are flexible and can be tailored to suit families and lifestyles.
This initiative builds on other ongoing recruitment efforts, including the successful Belong campaign, which remains in markets both interstate and overseas.
The campaign includes TV, radio, press and digital advertising in intrastate and interstate markets, with the addition of digital advertising in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
From January to May 2022, WA Health’s clinical workforce grew by 1,107 FTE nurses and midwives, and 412 FTE medical practitioners.
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“We know Western Australians are increasingly looking for more flexible working arrangements and we want to ensure that workforce needs continue being met while delivering world-class patient care.
“People’s circumstances can change and midwives who have recently left the profession may want to take a flexible role that can work around their family and lifestyle.
“We thank our dedicated healthcare workers for their contribution to the care of Western Australian families over the course of their careers, and hope they will consider re-joining the WA health system.
“As a Government, we are committed to doing everything we can to support our healthcare workers, which includes ongoing recruitment of additional staff.”
