{"id":"tas:sr-2011-001","name":"Poisons (Midwifery Substances) Order 2011","slug":"poisons-midwifery-substances-order-2011","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"1 of 2011","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":314561,"registerId":"tas-tas:sr-2011-001-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-08","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> This order may be cited as the [Poisons (Midwifery Substances) Order 2011](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2011-001) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> This order takes effect on the day on which its making is notified in the *Gazette*.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 3 Interpretation\n\n> > (1)  In this order –\n> \n> > (2)  A reference in these regulations to a substance by name followed, in parentheses, by a capital letter \"S\" and a number is a reference to that substance when included in the correspondingly numbered Schedule to the Poisons List.\n> \n> > (3)  Unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to a substance specified in this order includes –\n> > \n> > > > (a) that substance prepared from natural sources or artificially; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) where the substance is a plant (other than a plant included in [Schedule 8](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS8@EN) or [9](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS9@EN) to the Poisons List or a prohibited plant), that plant, or any part of it, when packed or prepared for therapeutic use; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) any salt, active principal or derivative of the substance, including esters and ethers and any salt of the active principal or derivative; and\n> > > \n> > > > (d) any alkaloid of the substance and any salt of the alkaloid; and\n> > > \n> > > > (e) any stereo-isomer of the substance and any salt of the stereo-isomer; and\n> > > \n> > > > (f) any recombinant form of the substance; and\n> > > \n> > > > (g) a preparation or admixture containing any proportion of the substance –\n> > > \n> > > but does not include –\n> > > \n> > > > (h) a preparation or product included in Appendix A to the Uniform Standard; or\n> > > \n> > > > (i) a substance included in Appendix G to the Uniform Standard at a concentration not exceeding the concentration specified in column 2 of that Appendix in respect of that substance; or\n> > > \n> > > > (j) any other substance included in [Schedules 1](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS1@EN) to [6](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS6@EN) , inclusive, to the Poisons List at a concentration not exceeding 10mg per litre or 10mg per kilogram, unless that substance is also included in [Schedule 7](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS7@EN) or [8](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS8@EN) to that List.\n> \n> > (4)  Unless the contrary intention appears, where a concentration, strength or quantity is specified in the Poisons List in respect of a substance –\n> > \n> > > > (a) if the substance is present as a salt, active principal or derivative (including an ester or ether), the concentration, strength or quantity is calculated as the equivalent amount of the substance that is listed in the Poisons List; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the expression \"1%\" means –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) in the case of a liquid preparation, one gram of the substance per 100 millilitres of the preparation; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) in the case of a solid or semi-solid preparation, one gram of the substance per 100 grams of the preparation –\n> > > > \n> > > > and any expression of a greater or lesser percentage has a corresponding meaning; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) in the case of codeine, such concentration, strength or quantity is calculated as anhydrous codeine.\n> \n> > (5)  In this clause –\n> > \n> > > ***Uniform Standard*** means the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons, of the Commonwealth, published by the Australian Government under the *Therapeutic Goods Act 1989* of the Commonwealth, as amended from time to time.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Midwifery restricted substances","content":"### 4 Midwifery restricted substances\n\n> The substances specified in [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) are declared to be midwifery restricted substances.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Midwifery narcotic substances","content":"### 5 Midwifery narcotic substances\n\n> The substances specified in [Schedule 2](#JS2@EN) are declared to be midwifery narcotic substances.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 1 - Midwifery Restric","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 1 - Midwifery Restricted Substances","content":"# SCHEDULE 1 - Midwifery Restric SCHEDULE 1 - Midwifery Restricted Substances\n\n[Clause 4](#GS4@EN)\n\n> **1.**   Amoxycillin.\n\n> **1N.**   [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 95, Applied:16 Nov 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-11-16/sr-2016-095#GS4@Hpa@EN) Benztropine.\n\n> **2.**   Benzylpenicillin.\n\n> **3.**   Cephalexin.\n\n> **4.**   Chloramphenicol.\n\n> **5.**   Clavulanic acid.\n\n> **6.**   Clindamycin.\n\n> **6G.**   [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 95, Applied:16 Nov 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-11-16/sr-2016-095#GS4@Hpb@EN) Clotrimazole.\n\n> **7.**   Diclofenac.\n\n> **8.**   Dicloxacillin.\n\n> **8G.**   [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 95, Applied:16 Nov 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-11-16/sr-2016-095#GS4@Hpc@EN) Domperidone.\n\n> **8N.**   [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 95, Applied:16 Nov 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-11-16/sr-2016-095#GS4@Hpc@EN) Ergometrine.\n\n> **9.**   Flucloxacillin.\n\n> **10.**   Framycetin.\n\n> **11.**   Ibuprofen.\n\n> **12.**   Levonorgestrel.\n\n> **12G.**   [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 95, Applied:16 Nov 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-11-16/sr-2016-095#GS4@Hpd@EN) Lignocaine.\n\n> **13.**   Lincomycin.\n\n> **14.**   Metoclopramide.\n\n> **14N.**   [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 95, Applied:16 Nov 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-11-16/sr-2016-095#GS4@Hpe@EN) Naloxone.\n\n> **15.**   Nitrofurantoin.\n\n> **15G.**   [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 95, Applied:16 Nov 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-11-16/sr-2016-095#GS4@Hpf@EN) Nitrous Oxide.\n\n> **15N.**   [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 95, Applied:16 Nov 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-11-16/sr-2016-095#GS4@Hpf@EN) Nystatin.\n\n> **15T.**   [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 95, Applied:16 Nov 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-11-16/sr-2016-095#GS4@Hpf@EN) Oxytocin.\n\n> **16.**   Ranitidine.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 2 - Midwifery Narcoti","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 2 - Midwifery Narcotic Substances","content":"# SCHEDULE 2 - Midwifery Narcoti SCHEDULE 2 - Midwifery Narcotic Substances\n\n[Clause 5](#GS5@EN)\n\n> **1.**   Morphine injection 10mg.\n\n> **2.**   Morphine injection 15mg.\n\nDisplayed and numbered in accordance with the *[Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1953-050)*.\n\nNotified in the *Gazette* on 5 January 2011\n\nThis order is administered in the Department of Health and Human Services.","sortOrder":6}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument's scope is to declare particular substances as \"midwifery restricted\" or \"midwifery narcotic\" and to set interpretive rules for those declarations (cl. 4–5; cl. 3). The order does not itself add operational rules or broaden regulatory powers beyond making those classifications; operational effects will follow from the Poisons List and the Uniform Standard referenced in cl. 3."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to external instruments (Poisons List and the Uniform Standard) that determine operational regulatory effects (cl. 3(2), cl. 3(5)).","Technical interpretation rules about what counts as a substance (salts, derivatives, stereoisomers, recombinant forms) and explicit exclusions (cl. 3(3)(c)–(j)).","Rules for calculating concentrations and percentage expressions that affect whether specific preparations fall inside or outside the classification (cl. 3(4)).","A multi-item schedule listing many different medicines with occasional amendment markers, requiring product-by-product review (Schedules 1–2).","Commencement on Gazette notification creating potentially short lead times for compliance (cl. 2)."],"plain_english_summary":"This order reclassifies specific medicines and chemicals as \"midwifery restricted\" or \"midwifery narcotic,\" broadly capturing salts, derivatives, stereoisomers and preparations unless excluded, and sets rules for concentration calculations. It takes effect on Gazette notification.  \n\nHealth practitioners, midwives, hospitals, pharmacies and suppliers will need to check whether products fall into the new categories because the reclassification alters which regulatory rules (via the Poisons List and the national Uniform Standard) will apply."},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available text, the Order appears to remain focused on its original and narrow purpose: authorising midwives to access and administer specific scheduled substances in the course of their practice. There is no indication of scope creep or expansion beyond midwifery-related substances since commencement."},"complexity_factors":["Sits within a broader and more complex regulatory framework (the Poisons Act and national scheduling system) that requires background knowledge to fully understand","The specific substances permitted are listed in schedules not visible in the provided text, limiting full assessment","Intersection of federal drug scheduling (national poisons standard) and state-level authorisation creates a layered legal context","Narrow, specialist subject matter (midwifery and controlled substances) that may be confusing without clinical or pharmaceutical knowledge"],"plain_english_summary":"## Poisons (Midwifery Substances) Order 2011 (Tasmania)\n\nThis is a **Tasmanian government order** that deals with which medicines and substances **midwives** are authorised to use in their practice.\n\n### What does it do?\nIn Tasmania, certain drugs and medicines (called \"poisons\" in legal terminology — this includes everything from painkillers to hormones) are tightly controlled. Normally only doctors can prescribe or administer many of these. This Order carves out an exception specifically for **registered midwives**, allowing them to access, supply, or administer certain substances that are necessary for delivering safe midwifery care — for example, substances used during labour, childbirth, and postnatal care.\n\n### Who does it affect?\n- **Midwives** practising in Tasmania — it defines what substances they can legally work with\n- **Pregnant women and new mothers** receiving midwifery care in Tasmania — it affects the care they can receive from a midwife without needing a doctor present\n- **Hospitals, birth centres, and home birth providers** operating under midwifery models of care\n\n### Why does it matter?\nWithout this Order, midwives in Tasmania could potentially be breaking the law by handling controlled substances even in routine, clinically appropriate situations. This Order provides the legal framework that allows midwives to practise safely and autonomously within their professional scope.\n\n### Important note\nThe actual list of specific substances permitted is likely contained within the body of the Order itself (or schedules to it), which is not fully reproduced in this document. The version shown has been current since **16 November 2016**."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: specifying which substances midwives may use. The 2016 amendments visible in the text (adding substances like naloxone, oxytocin, and nitrous oxide) expanded the list of permitted substances but did not broaden the scope beyond midwifery practice. The core mechanism—declaring specific scheduled substances as 'midwifery restricted' or 'midwifery narcotic'—has remained unchanged since 2011."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-referencing to external documents: the Poisons List, the Uniform Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons, and the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989","Complex definitional provisions in clause 3(3) with 7 inclusive sub-paragraphs (a)-(g) and 3 exclusion sub-paragraphs (h)-(j)","Technical chemical definitions covering salts, esters, ethers, alkaloids, stereo-isomers, and recombinant forms","Concentration calculation rules in clause 3(4) requiring mathematical conversion for salts and percentage expressions","Nested conditional logic: 'unless the contrary intention appears' qualifiers appear twice in clause 3","Only 2 substantive operative clauses (clauses 4 and 5) but heavily dependent on external schedules and standards"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets out which medicines and substances registered midwives in Tasmania are allowed to use, possess, supply, or administer.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Creates two categories of substances that midwives can work with:\n  - **Midwifery restricted substances** (Schedule 1): Common medicines like antibiotics (amoxycillin, penicillin), painkillers (ibuprofen, diclofenac), and emergency drugs (naloxone, oxytocin, ergometrine).\n  - **Midwifery narcotic substances** (Schedule 2): Morphine injections in specific doses (10mg and 15mg).\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Registered midwives practising in Tasmania\n- Women receiving midwifery care (who can access these medicines through their midwife)\n- Pharmacists and health services who supply these substances to midwives\n\n**Why it matters:**\nWithout this order, midwives would not have legal authority to handle many essential medicines needed during pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care. It lets midwives act quickly in emergencies—like stopping bleeding with oxytocin, reversing opioid overdose in babies with naloxone, or managing pain with morphine—without needing a doctor present. The law carefully limits which substances and doses are permitted to balance access with safety.\n\n**Key technical detail:**\nThe order uses complex definitions from the broader \"Uniform Standard\" (national rules for medicines) to determine exactly what counts as each substance—including salts, derivatives, and different chemical forms—while excluding low-concentration preparations that don't need special controls."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/poisons-midwifery-substances-order-2011","history":"/api/acts/poisons-midwifery-substances-order-2011/history","analysis":"/api/acts/poisons-midwifery-substances-order-2011/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/poisons-midwifery-substances-order-2011/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/poisons-midwifery-substances-order-2011/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/poisons-midwifery-substances-order-2011/documents"}}