Endorsed midwives are eligible to apply for a Medicare provider number and also authorised to prescribe within their scope of practice in accordance with the legislation and policy in their local jurisdiction. As a result, privately practising midwives (PPMs), Medicare eligibility and prescribing by midwives have been intrinsically linked. Many make the assumption that only midwives seeking to be a PPM need to consider becoming a midwife prescriber.

However, prescribing by midwives should not be confined to PPMs.

When midwives have the authority to prescribe in any context of practice – as a PPM or an employed endorsed midwife in a public health service or private health service entity, they can offer cost effective, timely comprehensive care, and the overall experience of care becomes less repetitious, consistent and coordinated for women and people giving birth.

It is essential the value of widespread midwife prescribing to the maternity care system is recognised and elevated.

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