The Professional Accountability of a Midwife

Statement of belief

The International Confederation of Midwives believes the midwife, as defined in the International Definition of the Midwife, is accountable for her own actions and the professional advice she gives. This accountability extends to those actions taken on the advice and orders of others.

Policy

The International Confederation of Midwives recognises that for midwives to be accountable for their own actions they must

· have been educated in a program designed for the student to acquire the knowledge and skills for competency

· regularly update and expand the knowledge and skills which are the basis of competent midwifery practice

Midwives have a duty of care to the women and newborn they attend

Midwives should not undertake actions for which they have not had the requisite education for the acquisition of competency.

Guiding Statement to Member Associations

Member Associations are urged to adopt this statement for action in their own environment if no similar statement already exists.

References

International Code of Ethics for Midwives 1993, ICM.

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

Supersedes ICM Statement:

Professional Accountability 90/6

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

Date for review: 2005