Notification of birth events and cases attended by midwives

Midwives must notify the Department of Health of the outcomes of all birth events (cases) attended, regardless of:

• the outcome
• whether living (premature or full-term birth) or
• stillborn.

Relevant legislation

The statutory requirement for midwife notifications is specified in Section 335 of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911 (external site) (Part XIII).

Responsibility for notification

Any midwife attending a birth event.

Who must be notified

Under the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911, the Chief Health Officer must be notified. Notifications are sent to the Maternal and Child Health team.

The Department of Health will notify the district child and community health nurse.

How to notify

Notification must be made using the Notification of Case Attended form or provided as a data file in the format specified.

Notification forms and data specifications

The E-form version of the Notification of Case Attended form can be used to notify the Chief Health Officer. All instructions are provided in the form.

For data file submission and data specifications contact the Maternal and Child Health team of the Information and Performance Governance Unit (IPG) (details below).

Notification due

Within 48 hours of birth for child health nurses and completed data within 30 days of infant's separation from birth site.

Contact

To make a notification, or for further information, contact:

Maternal and Child Health
Information and Performance Governance
Phone: 6373 1882
Email: birthdata@health.wa.gov.au

Postal address:
Maternal and Child Health
Department of Health, WA
Reply Paid 70042 (Delivery to Locked Bag 52)
PO Box 8172
Perth Business Centre WA 6849