Jane Reynolds
GradDipMid (Curtin); PGCertMid (Flin); BSc(Hons) Psych (UWA); BSc(Nurs) (ECU)
PhD Candidate, 2nd Year (M1 complete), School of Nursing, Curtin University
PhD Project
The Role of Advanced Midwifery Practice in Rural Maternity Sustainability
ARMSS Project – Advanced Rural Midwifery and Service Sustainability
Supervisory Committee
Professor Zoe Bradfield, Dr Lesley Kuliukas, Dr Paula Medway
This PhD study explores how advanced midwifery practice can support the sustainability of rural maternity services in Australia. With many rural and remote maternity units facing closure or reduced capability, the research examines how expanding midwives’ clinical skills and scope of practice may improve service viability, workforce capability, and access to safe, high‑quality maternity care for women and families. Using a multi‑phase approach, the study draws on the experiences of rural midwives and key stakeholders, alongside analysis of policy and regulatory contexts, to identify barriers and enablers to advanced practice. The findings aim to inform future workforce models and strategies to strengthen rural maternity services.
Awards & Funding
WA Country Health Service Research Scholarship
Experience and Research Focus
Jane is a rural midwife, nurse, and PhD candidate in midwifery, with experience working across rural Western Australia. She is currently employed as a Clinical Midwife Specialist within a rural midwifery group practice and is passionate about building midwifery clinician researcher capacity in Western Australia. Her doctoral research is informed by firsthand experience working in rural services at risk of closure and supporting women facing significant barriers to care and is framed within an Australia‑wide context to inform future workforce and service models.
