Legislation To Govern Midwifery Practice

Statement of belief

The International Confederation of Midwives believes that there should be appropriate legislation relating to the practice of midwives in all countries.

Policy

Legislation which is enacted to govern the practice of midwives should enable midwives to practise freely in any setting:

· ensure the profession is governed by midwives;

· support the midwife who exercises life saving knowledge and skills in a variety of settings in countries where there is no ready access to medical support;

· support the acquisition of ongoing education;

· require regular renewal of right to practise;

· adopt a ‘Definition of the Midwife’ appropriate to the country within the legislation;

· provide for consumer representation on the regulatory body;

· recognise that all women have a right to be attended by a competent midwife;

· allow for the midwife to practise in her own right;

· recognise the importance of separate midwifery regulation and legislation which supports and enhances the work of midwives in improving maternal, child and public health;

· provide for entrance to the profession that is based on competencies and standards and which makes no distinction on routes of entry;

· provide the mechanism for the regulatory body to protect the public in a process that is governed by midwives;

· provide for regular review of the legislation to ensure it remains appropriate and not outdated, as midwifery education and practice and the health services advance;

· encourage the use of peer review and analysis of perinatal, maternal and newborn outcomes in the legislative review process;

· provide for transition education programmes in the adoption of new legislation requiring increased levels of competency of the midwife.

Guiding statement to Member Associations

Member Associations are urged to use this statement to achieve legislation which will be appropriate for the practice of midwifery in their country.

Support references

- Mother Baby Package: Implementing Safe Motherhood in Countries, 1994, WHO.

- ICM, FIGO, WHO Definition of the Midwife, (1972, 1992)

- Bryce, G.K., Overview paper presented to Workshop on Legislation,

May 1983 Vancouver ICM Congress (Unpublished).

- The Safe Motherhood Action Agenda. Priorities for the next decade. Report on the Safe Motherhood Technical Consultation October 1997 Sri Lanka, Family Care International.

Supersedes statement:

Appropriate Legislation for Midwives 90/3

Adopted by the International Confederation of Midwives Council, Manila, May 1999.

Date for review: 2005