PURPOSE:
The Midwifery Standards Review programme (MSR) is a long-standing, regulation requirement and profession-led quality assurance programme for all registered midwives in Aotearoa New Zealand, designed to support midwives through structured reflection and professional development. In 2024, the New Zealand College of Midwives commissioned a literature review to inform the future direction of MSR, recognising the need to align the process with contemporary evidence and the changing needs of a diverse midwifery workforce.

DISCUSSION:
This presentation will provide an overview of a literature review that examined how continuing competence and recertification are structured for midwives and other health professions within New Zealand. It drew on models from nursing, medicine, and interprofessional contexts to consider how other health professions are supported in maintaining competence. The review also explored a range of international midwifery frameworks, highlighting approaches that emphasise reflection, cultural safety, and professional development.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
The findings point to a shift away from audit-based systems toward quality improvement processes that centre learning, feedback, and support. The literature identified that reflection is most meaningful when supported by safe, relational structures and grounded in the practitioner’s cultural and clinical context. It highlighted the value of narrative approaches, the importance of both peer and consumer voice, and the need for culturally safe processes that honour indigenous knowledge paradigm.

KEY MESSAGE:
The literature review findings are now informing the redesign of the MSR programme. The New Zealand College of Midwives is developing a new quality improvement programme that will support registered midwives and recognise the range of roles and practice settings in which they work. The intention of the redesign is to strengthen midwives engagement in reflective practice, uphold professional standards and improve outcomes for the diverse communities they serve. Poster session 3 (Group B)