"System/process change complaint"

At a recent midwife appointment at Box Hill Hospital, I asked for a due date notice and certificate of attendance. I was horrified to learn that midwives are now unable to sign these documents, instead needing a doctors signature. In my opinion, this is a major waste of time and resources when the midwife (with whom I had the appointment!) is in a perfect position of responsibility to sign these documents.

On this instance, the midwife (who was very embarrassed and insulted by the situation), followed by the staff at the front desk, had to run around the unit to find an available doctor to sign the documents. This left me sitting pointlessly waiting for over ten minutes (dare I mention the car was on the meter!). 

I cannot fathom why the decision was made that midwives are no longer able to sign these documents, which are not even medical certificates. These are highly trained individuals in positions of responsibility. Not only does it undermine their position, but such requirements reinforce the archaic, hierarchical health care system that hospitals are meant to be moving away from!

I hope that common sense can prevail in this instance, with the decision/policy/process reversed to ensure staff resources are not wasted and midwives/nurses are not made to feel undermined.  

I would appreciate an explanation for the change (as I'm sure the midwives themselves would, as the staff I have communicated with do not understand why this decision had been made).

*Please note that an email sent to the ward with this complaint was forwarded on to the relevant department heads last week, but I am yet to receive a response or even acknowledgement. 

** In general, the service in the maternity ward is exceptional and the hospital is lucky to have such knowledgeable and personable midwives.