An inaugural Postgraduate Midwifery Seminar in Mackay will help prepare midwives for leadership roles across the nation.

The free 'Moving Midwifery Foward' seminar on April 11 (9am-3.45pm) is open to all health care professionals and midwifery, nursing and health students.

It will also be the culmination of a week of residential studies for students from across Australia who are enrolled in CQU's new Master of Midwifery.

These programs have been developed to cater for Registered Nurses who wish to become midwives and for practicing midwives who wish to either update or return to complete their Masters degree.

Keynote speaker Sue Hendy, a Midwifery Consultant at the Sydney West Area Health Service, will discuss Challenges of providing maternity services to a multicultural society both in tertiary and remote settings.

Keynote speaker Lynn Radel, the Mackay Health Service District Acting Nursing Director (Education and Research), will discuss Organisational cultures influencing the Introduction and Development of Research into Midwifery Practice.

Meanwhile, a group session will address the Many Faces of Professional Midwifery.

There will also be a team-based discussion on How to Improve the Existing Maternity System.

The midwifery programs offered at CQU are preparing students to meet the challenges of providing ‘woman-centred' midwifery care to birthing women, especially in rural and remote areas.