Response to Thompson D, Watson R, Stewart S (2007) Guest Editorial: Nursing and midwifery: time for an amicable divorce?

摘要

At a time in history when there is a critical need for human resources for health (World Health Report, 2006), especially nurses and midwives, to meet the UN's Millennium Development Goals (2000) by 2015, it could be viewed as somewhat irresponsible or even trivial to raise the question posed in the title of Thompson et al.'s editorial (Thompson et al., 2007). The health of the world's people depends on collaboration, partnerships, mutual trust and respect among all health professionals. No one health profession can make the world a safer and healthier place for individuals (World Health Report, 2005, 2006). The situation of 'conflict' between nurses and midwives is not reflective of the global scene. One needs only to read current joint statements between the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), along with other groups such as the World Health Organization, the International Federation of Gynecologists & Obstetricians (FIGO), the International Pediatric Association (IPA), to understand that nurses and midwives are truly respected partners and collaborators with many others based on a common goal of healthy people (PMNCH, 2005).