Can new midwifery regulation change practice?

As it stands in midwifery regulation senior midwives have to balance two, sometimes conflicting, roles when an internal investigation is launched.  They are responsible for the professional development and support of their colleagues but they also act on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in a regulatory role.  It is feared that this conflict of interest has at some points led to compromises in safety.  However, there are now changes in the law that means the two roles are to be separated, with the NMC taking on all responsibility for regulation.  When there are concerns  investigations will be independent of the profession and involve lay people in the decision making, which, it is hoped, will enable poor treatment to be identified and improvements to be made.

Dame Julie Mellor, the parliamentary and health service ombudsman, said: “The government’s pledge to change this (the lack of proper investigation) will lead to a more modern and robust regulation of the midwifery profession, putting the safety of mothers and babies first.”

Read an article written by Dame Julie Mellor on this subject here