Facing Complaints, Investigations and Notifications

Investigations and notifications are increasing

Regardless of where you work (private practice, employed, contract, casual, full-time, agency etc), you can contact us any time you need a sounding board or an independent view from an experienced midwife. 

My unique knowledge of all of the various processes and requirements (many of which are unique to midwifery private practice) and work experience in all areas of midwifery combined with sound practice and business advice can help you to navigate any issues you may face with hospitals, employers, colleagues, clients and external bodies. 

This service doesn’t replace legal advice; it complements the advice you may receive through your insurer, lawyer and/or union.

Investigations and notifications are increasing, along with community expectations of care and care providers.  Responding to complaints can be time-consuming and incredibly stressful for midwives and health practitioners and sadly, a number of midwives experience burnout, anxiety and depression and leave the profession following these processes.  This is something I’d like to help prevent by using both proactive and reactive approaches to complaints. 

Any midwife and health practitioner can find themselves involved in one of these processes for any number of reasons. 

Ideally, I’d love to work with you proactively to review your practice and business set-up and help to:

  • Minimise the chance of receiving a complaint

  • Help your complaint be closed quickly through sound business and practice process management

However, anyone may complain for any number of reasons, and so we often find we’re responding after a complaint has been made.  Even with appropriate legal and/or union representation, midwives often feel isolated and scared dealing with the various agencies, and it is well-known that private practice is very different from all of the other ways in which health practitioners work.  I believe that my dedicated and unique experience will help you traverse and respond to these challenges whilst maintaining self-care and income.

If you’re facing a complaint, investigation or notification, I can help

Consulting and coaching

I offer one-off sessions and discounted packages of 3, 6 or 9 hours. 

Sessions may be 60, 90 or 120 minutes each, booked in advance or as needed, over 6 months.  It’s very flexible and aims to respond as and when you need it.

Please note that in some cases, it’s necessary to take time for (eg) research, contract review, documentation review and so on.  

Feel welcome to book a free initial call if you’d like guidance about how many hours you may need.

I help you with the things that are keeping you up at night ….

“I want to take a proactive approach … can you look over my documentation and my processes and let me know if there’s anything you think I can do to minimise the chance of complaints?”

“I’ve had a complaint and I know I need to make some changes in my practice. Can you guide me in what I can change and improve on?”

“I’m worried about losing my practice and my livelihood. I need someone to talk to and guidance about what can I do”

“I was at a birth that didn’t go so well and I wanted to get an independent view on what happened and debrief the whole experience.”

“How can I plan my CPD to incorporate complaints management?”

“I just want someone to talk to outside my circle of colleagues, friends and family”

“I’ve just become aware of a complaint that’s been made. Help!!”