Western Pacific Region Nursing/Midwifery Databanks

Western Pacific Region Nursing/Midwifery Databanks COUNTRY: 1. Historical events in nursing and midwifery (e.g. milestones in the development of nursing and midwifery) 1870 Early missionaries arrived and nursing was first introduced in. 1900-1950 Nursing work was established; some Health Workers were trained by Churches and were known as "Orderlies". Later the name changed to "Midwife" for a woman and "Dresser" for a man. 1951 The Government appointed Mrs Wood and the First Matron to the Central Hospital for training nurses. The programme duration was eighteen (18) months and very few boys were able to attend. 1952 The Central Hospital Training School for nurses was established. The 18 months course was increased to three years duration. Only men undertook this training because girls were not permitted by their parents to come to Honiara which was at that time considered to be full of iniquities. 1954 Male Graduates from the three years Nursing Course were designated "Medical Assistants". Two church nurse training institutions, Helena Goldie and Fauambu were accorded due recognition by the Nurses and Midwives Board. The graduates were given the title "Registered Nurse". 1957 The first two female students from Santa Cruz in Temotu were admitted to the Central Hospital for nurse training. 1959 An ordinance to provide for the Registration of Nurses for the sick and Midwives and to regulate their Practice; the Nurses and Midwives Board was approved and commenced on 1 st April 1959. 1960 The three year nurse training programme at Central Hospital School of Nursing was approved by the Nurses and Midwives Board. 1968 The Nurses and Midwives Board approved students who have acquired two years Secondary Education as the minimum entry requirement for the School of Nursing. 1970 Establishment of a Superintendent of Nursing Services post at MHMS HQ to head the national health service. This post was held by an expatriate. 1972 The need to expand nursing care services for people in Honiara saw the establishment of the Honiara Urban Nursing Services (HUNS) under the Honiara Town Council. The Nurses Association (SINA) was formed. A first career structure for nurses in was developed. Developed a curriculum for Post Basic Course in Nursing and Management for senior nurses on supervisory levels. 1974 The Nurses and Midwives Board approved the new curriculum for Basic Nursing Education. The Board also approved the new general educational and academic entry requirement for nurse training programme as Form IV and Form V school students. The first formal training programme for Hospital Aides was developed and conducted at the Central Hospital. The last intake for registered nurse training programme at Fauabu Hospital under the Church of Melanesia in Malaita. A first group of Village Health Aides were enrolled on a one year programme in Malaita. 1975 Helena Goldie Hospital Nursing School under the United Church in Western discontinued its nurse training programme. Last Update: October 2013 Page 1

1976 Reviewed the curriculum for Post Basic Course in Nursing and Management for Senior nurses on supervisory positions. This is a revision of the 1972 version. 1977 The post of superintendent of nursing services was localized. 1978 Nurse Training Programme at the Hospital of Epiphany, Fauambu, Malaita discontinued. Its last registered nurse completed her fourth year of training. The Hospital of Epiphany, Fauambu, Malaita was designated an Area Health Centre status by Malaita Medical Services. A process for localization of all nursing positions in nursing services was commenced. 1980 All supervisory nursing posts within the Government nursing services were fully localized. The work on a framework for the Diploma in Nursing Curriculum was carried out by Ms Verna Rice from Cumberland College of Allied Sciences, Sydney, Australia based on the 1984 certificate in Nursing Curriculum. 1981 Technical assistance from the Faculty of Nursing, Armidale, Australia and WHO to develop a basic comprehensive nursing curriculum commenced. 1982 The Central Hospital School of Nursing was localized after five Solomon Island nurses successfully completed their Diploma in Nurse Education from Armidale College of Advanced Education. 1982 Manual of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for Health Workers in was developed, under guidance and help from the OBS/Gynae Team of the National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands, MCH/FP Unit and Nurses. 1983 Completion of the Development of Basic Comprehensive Nursing Curriculum and Guidelines for implementation. 1984 Developed a Nursing Practice Procedure Book for Nurses. The School of Nursing was transferred to the general stream of education under College of Higher Education (SICHE). A comprehensive Nursing Programme was first implemented. 1985 The School of Nursing staff and facilities moved completely under the SICHE. First intake of student nurses by SICHE. 1986 The Comprehensive Nursing Education Programme officially presented to the Academic Board of SICHE and was accepted. 1987 The Nursing Council Act was passed by Parliament to replace the Nurses and Midwives Ordinance of 1959. The first nurse graduates of SICHE, graduated. The history of the Nurses Association was first documented. 1988 The Head of Nursing in MHMS HQ was upgraded to the status of superintendent of Nursing Services. 1989 Health Centre/Clinic Operations Manual Developed under guidance from the Medex Group, University of Hawaii (USA) and Save the Children Fund of Australia. 1991 A feasibility study on the introduction of a Post basic Midwifery Course was done by Mr John Sisiolo. It was envisaged to begin in 1993, but due to a combination of reasons the course did not go off the ground. Standards for Nursing Practice were developed for the first time. 1992 A Government Nursing Service, Structure, Grading, staffing and Scheme of Service formally approved by Her Majesty s Public Service and came into force on 1 st January 1992. Last Update: October 2013 Page 2

1993 A Review of the Village Health Worker Programme in. Funded by SCF (Australia) and conducted by the Primary Health Care Unit (MHMS). World Bank under its Third Education and Training Project (TET) accepts to include the School of Nursing and Health Studies (SICHE) under its funding. It stems from recognition that there is a need to develop the capacity of the SNHS to train Registered Nurses for the health care system and enhance the professional development of those RNs already in the workforce. 1993 Family Planning Handbook for Health Personnel was produced, sponsored by the South Pacific Alliance for Family Health (SPAFH). 1994 A Consultancy Team reviews of SNHS to: (1) review of the nursing curriculum of the SNHS with a view to upgrade the present three year certificate to a Diploma level; (2) assess the capability of the SNHS to develop outreach programmes and prepared reports and action plans to enable the school to start and sustain such activities. 1994/95 A standardized nurse aide curriculum was completed and approved by the Nursing Council. This was funded under the European Union Rural Health Project. 1995 A new nurse aide training school, "Malu'u Nurse Aide School" in Malaita funded by the European Union under its Rural Health Infrastructure Project was completed. Renovation of Girls and Boy's dormitories at the Hellena Goldie Hospital Nurse Aide School, Munda, Western were completed under European Union funding. College of Higher Education (SICHE) and the Nursing Council accepted the Diploma in Nursing Curriculum and to start enrolments in 1996. The Atoifi School of Nursing under the Seventh Day Adventist Church continue to train certificated nurses. 1996 Malu'u Nurse Aide Training School in Malaita enrolled the first even sixteen (16) students to undertake the eighteen (18) months training course. The College of Higher Education (SICHE) Academic Board gave approval to the reorganized curriculum proposal as a Diploma programme. A first intake for the Diploma in Nursing (Pre-service) commenced at the School of Nursing and Health Studies (SNHS) at SICHE. 1997 The diploma curriculum was reviewed by a team of consultants from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) under the 3 rd Education and Training Project funded by the World Bank. 1999 First Diploma graduates of SNHS. A total of 36 successfully completed the course. The Seventh Day Adventist Church revealed its plan in preparing for the upgrading of the certificate in nursing programme to a Diploma soon. A consultant for WHO, Ms Anne Jacobs, with the assistance of clinicians and nursing leaders in, Papua New Guinea and Australia completed the curriculum for the Diploma in Advanced Nursing (Midwifery). The midwifery units of the curriculum are based on and adapted from the Advanced Diploma in Nursing (Midwifery Strand), offered by the University of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Taurama Campus. A Health Sector Development Project under World Bank was signed. The Establishment of a Midwifery School, training of midwives, Family Health Card; improving distance education curriculum in family planning; and improving obstetric service/staffing was included as component 2, under Maternal Care/Family planning. 2000 A first intake of midwives students to be piloted at the National Referral Hospital, in Honiara. A full intake for the midwifery school is expected by Year 2003, when the training facilities and hostels are completed. 2003 The Midwifery School classroom including office, Dormitory and staff houses were completed under funding from the SI Health Sector Development Project at the National Referral Hospital. 2006 A restructure of Nursing was implemented nationwide as part of the revised approved Nursing Scheme of Service. This resulted in changes of the Organizational Structure, Nursing titles and the development of Position Descriptions for Nurses. Last Update: October 2013 Page 3

2007 Nurse Leader s forum was organised for Senior Nurses. This was supported by the Health strengthening Project funded under the Australian Government. It was agreed that this forum be held bi annually. 2009 Work began on the review of the Diploma of Nursing program at the College of Higher Education under technical assistance from WHO. Mary Manus, Principal Lecturer of Auckland University of Technology was engaged in this work. This work also include redevelopment of Nursing Competencies for the Nursing Council of Solomon Islands The biennial Nursing Leaders Conference was successfully conducted. This led to the development of the Nursing Strategic Directions in preparation for the National Health Strategic Plan (2011 to 2015). 2010 Resolutions for a National Strategic Health Plan (2011-2015) are underway and will incorporate role of nurses within the health framework. National Nursing Strategic Directions 2010 to 2014 was completed. The Supervised Practice Program for Nurse Probationers was reviewed The National attended the Government Chief Nurses and Midwifery Officers Forum and the Triad Meeting in Geneva for the first time For the first time, the National was included in the Ministerial Delegation to the World Health Assembly in Geneva on recommendation by the International Council of Nurses. Nursing was always included in subsequent meetings thereafter. The Nurse Aide Training School at Malu u was suspended pending review of the current Nurse Aide Certificate program. The other reason for the suspension was because the school was overtraining nurse aides and most of them remain unemployed. 2011 The National Health Strategic Plan, 2011 to 2015 was launched by the Minister of Health. A study tour was conducted to Fiji to see the Nurse Practitioners program at the Fiji National University, School of Nursing. The tour included the Permanent Secretary for Health, National and Head of School of Nursing and Health Studies at the then College of Higher Education. The Ministry of Health sent two nurses to Fiji National University, School of Nursing to do a diploma in Nurse Practioners program with the aim of introducing a similar program in-country. Consultants Mary McManus and Jo Conaglen from AUT continued their services to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and Solomon islands College of Higher Education under funding arrangements with MHMS. The Midwifery School jointly run by the then SI College of Higher Education and Ministry of Health was suspended as it prepares to be an additional strand of the Bachelor Nursing at the National University. 2012 Adopted WPSEAR competencies and have developed indicators for standards of education. The first intake on Bachelor of Nursing (Acute Care and Primary Health strands) graduated from the then SI College of Higher Education A report on the Status and Training of Nurse Aides was produced by Consultant Jo Conaglen, senior lecturer of Auckland University of Technology. Last Update: October 2013 Page 4

2013 The Bachelor of Nursing at the National University started its Midwifery Strand by taking in the first Intake. The National Nursing Administration successfully created senior Nursing positions for the provinces and National Referral Hospital. These include Assistant Directors of Nursing, Nurse Managers and Community Health Nurse Consultants. This is to be in line with the emphasis of the Nursing restructure on improving management at the operational level. The National Nursing Administration also created a position for Program Manager for Nursing Administration and Practice including Emergencies and Disaster Coordination. 2. Regulations and Laws 2.1 Act or Law Type of regulations Registration and Nurse categories Registered Nurses and midwives Title of Act or Law Year Regulatory authority Nurses and Midwives Ordinance of (now 1969 Nursing Council repealed) Licensure Registered Nurse Aides Nursing Council Act (1987) The Nursing Council Regulation draft (1991) 1987 1991 The Nursing Council Amendment Act 1997 1997 The Nursing Regulation 2 nd draft (2005) 2005 The Nursing Regulation 3 rd draft (2008) 2008 The Nursing Regulation final draft (2010) 2010 2.2 Regulatory authority Authority Address Phone number Fax number. e-mail address Nursing Council Solomon Nursing Council P.O. Box 349, Honiara, S.I. Chairman: Mr Michael Larui 677-25588 (Work) +677 7487608 677- mlarui@moh.gov.sb / mlarui7@gmail.com Vice Chairperson: Edith Fanega +677 28234 efanega@moh.gov.sb Secretary/Registrar: Ms Sanneth Talo +677-20830 Ext. 316/337 (Work) stalo@moh.gov.sb Last Update: October 2013 Page 5

3. Nursing and/or Midwifery Associations Name of Association Address Phone number Fax number E-mail address Solomon Island Nurses Association PO Box 233 Honiara, (President: Mr William Same) +677 20830 +677- wsame@moh. gov.sb Midwifery Society P.O. Box 349, Honiara President: Ms Kathleen Gapirongo +677 20830 kgapirongo@ moh.gov.sb Nb. Midwives are included under the SI Nurses Association. 4. Nurse, Midwife leaders and/or focal points Name and position title Organization and Address Phone number Fax number E-mail address Mr Michael Larui National Director of Nursing Ministry of Health & Medical Services PO Box 349 Honiara Tel: 677 20830 +677 mlarui@moh.gov. sb Mr George Pego National Deputy Director of Nursing - Development Ministry of Health and Medical Services P.O. Box 349, Honiara 677 25588 (W) 677 20830 (W) 677 GeorgePego@moh. gov.sb pego_cip@yahoo. com Ms Edith Fanega, National Deputy Head of Nursing - Management Ministry of Health and Medical Services P.O. Box 349, Honiara 677 28234 677 efanega@moh.gov. sb Ms. Verzilyn Isom Dean of School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Solomon Island National University National University, P.O. Box R113, Honiara 677 38078 (w) or 677-30111 (SB) 677 30390 dsnahs@sinu.edu.sb Mr. Henry Gumi Principal Helena Goldie Hospital College of Nursing Mr. Humpress Harrington, Helena Goldie Hospital, Munda P.O., Western Atoifi Adventist College of Nursing, Atoifi Hospital, Malaita hgbeard@ymail.c om Humpress.harring ton@gmail.com Last Update: October 2013 Page 6

Education, Atoifi Adventist College of Nursing Mr Selwyn Houniuhi,, National Referral Hospital National Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, P.O. Box 349, Honiara 677-23600 Ext 349 (w) 677 selwyn.houniuhi1 6@gmail.com Mr William Timba,, Choiseul Taro Hospital, Choiseul 677-20830 Ext 3333 677 timbawilliam@yah oo.com Mr Jeffrey Korini,, Western Gizo Hospital, Western 677 23600 Ext 349 (W) 677-39028 (H) 677-2423 jkorini@yahoo.co m Mr Paul Hingei Isabel Buala Hospital, Isabel 677-23600 Ext 363 (w) 677-20438 (h) 677 24243 NIL Mr. Mark Maeliau Malaita Kilu ufi Hospital, Auki PO, Malaita maeliaumark@ya hoo.com Mr Harvest Miabule Honiara City Council Honiara City Council, P.O. Box 324, Honiara Mr Gabriel Vagi Guadalcanal Guadalcanal Provincial Headquarters, Honiara Mr Adam Olianamae Rennell Bellona Tingoa Area Health Centre, Rennell Island, Rennell Bellona Mr. John Harara Makira Ulawa Kirakira Hospital, Makira Ulawa hararajs@yahoo.c om Mr. Augustine Bilve Temotu Lata Hospital, Temotu Ms. Rhelma Harrington,, Atoifi Adventist Hospital Atoifi Hospital, Malaita Last Update: October 2013 Page 7

5. Category and functions of nurses and midwives Category Entry requirement Length of training Level/Credential Description Registered Nurse Secondary form 6/ 7 (Science) with passes in English, Math, Science or passed tests set by the Institution One year supervised on-thejob experience required before registration 3 or 4 years Diploma in Nursing (3 yr) Now able to do a bridging course to a Bachelor of Nursing (Acute Care and Primary Health Care) with an extra year of study. Broad scope of nursing practice requiring strong communication, history taking assessment, diagnostic reasoning skills, in addition to community assessment and mobilization skills. Fifty percent of nurses work in hospitals; 50% in rural areas. Nurse Aide Secondary form 3 or passed tests set by the Institution 18 months (regulations state programme length of not less than 1 year with 6 months supervised practice) Certificate Full range of rural PHC practice. Provide many of the clinical tasks of RNs. Midwives Registered Nurse 1 yr Advanced Diploma in Nursing (Midwifery) upgraded to a Bachelor degree in 2012 6. Nursing and Midwifery Education (include a diagrammatic illustration if available and the total number of nursing and midwifery schools) School of Nursing and Health Studies offer a three-year nursing programme and train around 40 nurses per annum. Consultants have recommended that the nursing curriculum be further reoriented toward a primary health care approach as in the past it has had a strong curative, biomedical focus. Last Update: October 2013 Page 8 Currently there are three nursing

schools. 1. One of the schools at the SI National University, 2. Operated by the seventh Day Adventist Church 3. Operated by the United Church of Solomon islands License, Registration and Renewal system License: Registration: Renewal system: All registered nurses and nurse aides who have undergone a prescribed nursing course approved by the Nursing Council are licensed to practice full general nursing both in the hospital setup and the s, No nurses or nurse aides are permitted to practice in any nursing field where they have not received training on. The Nursing Council registration register is divided into two parts; part I (Temporary) which is issued to nurses on supervised practice on twelve months duration and Part II which is issued to those who have successfully completed their supervised practice programme. The registry has two divisions: division 1 is to register Registered Nurses and division 2 is for Registered Nurse Aides. A new register will be opened soon to register midwives and other specialty areas separately from the general register. Registration is at the moment for life, but reviews are being made to change this. There is provision for annual renewal of registration in the Nursing Council Act (1987), but this has not yet been enforced. A review and updating of the 1991 Nursing Regulations is being made to accommodate annual renewal of registrations fee plus other fees. 7. Resources available (e.g. standards, practice guidelines, protocols, policies on nursing and midwifery workforce, etc) Subject/Title Year published Description Contact (Name, Address, Telephone No., Fax No., E- mail, etc.) Comprehensive Review of Health Services Report 1996 Overall review of health services and programmes, including policies, programmes, resource utilization, consumer perceptions Ministry of Health and Medical Services (677 25588; fax ) KAP Survey on Nurse Aides 1993 Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Solomon Islands, Rural Health Project Brief Comparative Description of Registered Nurses Last Update: October 2013 Page 9 1992 Y. Souares

and Nurse Aides in Need Analysis Report Distance Education Learning Modules National Nursing Strategic Directions, 2010 to 2014 Nursing Annual Report, 2010 National Health Strategic Plan, 2011 to 2015 1996 1993-1998 Learning materials designed for rural nurses in the areas of family planning, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Community Health 2011 Has four Key strategic areas: 1. Nursing Administration and Management 2. Nursing Education, Development and Research 3. Nursing regulation 4. Nursing Practice including Public Health 2011 Based on the four strategic areas of the National Nursing Strategic Direction 2011 Has two sets of Polices: Organizational and Substantive Health Policies National Nursing Administration, MHMS Phone: +677 20830 National Nursing Administration, MHMS Phone: +677 20830 National Nursing Administration, MHMS Phone: +677 20830 Nursing Competencies Report on Status and Training of Nurse Aides Nursing Council Act 1987 and Solomon Islands Amendment 1997 2012 Revised version Registrar, Nursing Council 2012 National Head of Nursing, National Nursing Administration, MHMS Phone: +677 20830 2013 Registrar, Solomon islands Nursing Council 8. Main nursing issues/priorities Nurse aides require a clearer scope of practice and adequate training. Ongoing review and redevelopment of Nursing Education Programs, Need for nurses with greater specialist skills suggest a demand for CPD programs. Evaluation of Nursing and Midwifery Services in SI, Review of Positions Descriptions and Organizational Structure, Review of Nurses Scheme of Service, Last Update: October 2013 Page 10

Human Resource for Health, Review of Nursing Council and Development of Nurses Procedure Books. Main midwifery issues/priorities Implementation of the Midwifery Competencies Registration of Midwives 9. Important policies or strategies needed Training programs for nurse leaders need reviewing. Review of the Nursing Council Act and evaluation of Nursing and Midwifery Services is also needed for improvement to the services provided. Human Resource Management and Development Plan for Nurses Training Plan for Nurses Development of Model of Care Delivery for Nurses Credentialing Policy Finalization of the Nursing Regulation 10. Does your country have a National Health Plan and or Human Resources for Health Strategy? How have Nursing and Midwifery workforce policies been integrated into this plan/s? A National Health Strategic Plan (2011-2015) has been developed and incorporates the National Nursing Strategic Direction (2010-2014). Part of the policy integrates workforce analysis with the Provincial Directors of Nursing. A Human Resource for Health task force was formed to develop the HRH strategy as it is a priority organizational policy of MHMS. The National Head of Nursing is a member of the committee. Last Update: October 2013 Page 11