Legal and ethical competence is a cornerstone of professional midwifery practice and an essential part of midwifery training. Law and Ethics for Midwifery is a unique and practical resource for student midwives. Written by an experienced midwifery lecturer, this text draws on a wide variety of real life case studies and focuses particularly on the core areas of accountability, autonomy and advocacy. Opening with two chapters providing overviews respectively of ethical theories and legislation, the book is then arranged thematically. These chapters have a common structure which includes case studies, relevant legislation, reflective activities and a summary, and they run across areas of concern from negligence through safeguarding to record-keeping. Grounded in midwifery practice, the text enables student midwives to consider and prepare for ethical and legal dilemmas they may face as midwives in clinical practice.

Law for Nurses and Midwives is the most highly respected health law text for nursing and midwifery students studying law as part of their degree. Now in its 8th edition, this fundamental text outlines legal issues and responsibilities specific to both nursing and midwifery practice and features the legislation relevant to the provision of safe, quality healthcare in Australia. Authored by Patricia Staunton and Mary Chiarella, this fully revised edition includes updates to case law and the latest information on nursing and midwifery governance and the professional regulation of nurses and midwives. Revised Registration Standards and Standards for Practice established by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), effective 2016Learning Objectives that highlight what students will attain from each chapterThe law in context through Case Examples, Clinical Examples and Case StudiesReview Questions to consolidate learning Break down of legislation by state and territoryUpdated state and territory statutes"

Why ethics for midwives? -- Existing ethical codes, guidelines, and value statements -- Privacy and confidentiality -- Informed consent/choice -- Who is the client? -- Multiple relationships -- Scope of practice and competence -- Working with other professionals -- Client non-compliance and termination of care -- Diversity, equity, and justice -- Addressing ethical concerns -- Ethical thinking, caring, and decision-making.

This book examines the principles and realities of ethics in midwifery practice today. It explains basic ethical theory, looking at how dilemmas occur and the ethical bases on which conflicts can be resolved. Through a series of case studies, options and issues for consideration are reviewed, particularly in areas of increasing concern and debate such as confidentiality, autonomy, screening, abortion, assisted conception and withholding treatment. This book is valuable to all students and practicing midwives who need to understand the principles and practice of ethics, especially how to apply ethical thought and action in their own day-to-day work.

Understanding ethics and law in health care is an essential part of nurse and midwife professional standards, and a core component of qualifying programmes. Ethics, Law and Health Care teaches applied ethics and law in a way that illustrates the real world applications of these essential aspects of practice. It enables readers to not only recognise but also address legal and ethical issues that will arise in their professional practice. The book approaches these issues using the Nursing and Midwifery Codes of Ethics, the Codes of Professional Conduct and the four principles of biomedical ethics: Autonomy Non-maleficence Beneficence Justice Filled with case studies, review questions and useful further reading, this book gives readers a solid understanding of ethics and law in health care, and a clear decision-making framework so they can take action confidently.Chapter 1: Ethics and Law.- Chapter 2: Ethics and ethical and legal decision- making frameworks.- Chapter 3: The Australian legal system.- Chapter 4: Ethics, law and nursing and midwifery practice.- Chapter 5: Adult patients - Consent and refusal of consent.- Chapter 6: Children as patients.- Chapter 7 Law, ethics and health information management.- Chapter 8: Patient safety and negligence.- Chapter 9: Ethics, law and mental health.- Chapter 10: Ethics, law and the elderly.- Chapter 11: End-of-life issues.- Chapter 12: Issues relevant to reproduction, pregnancy and the birth of a child.- Chapter 13: Ethics, law and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients Appendixes.- Code of conduct for nurses.- Code of conduct for midwives.- Where to find the International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics and the International Confederation of Midwives Code of Ethics.

Midwives are accountable to the public, patients, their employers and the profession. It is essential that student midwives have a clear understanding of the legal and professional dilemmas they face in the course of their career and how to address those dilemmas in order to practise effectively. This book is an essential resource for student midwives developing their knowledge and understanding of the requirements for safe practice. It provides a clear introduction to the subject, with activities and case studies throughout to illustrate key principles and apply the law in context.