Independent Midwifery Under Threat

As of October 2013, it will become illegal for midwives to practice without insurance, due to an EU directive. Because there are too few Independent Midwives – around 200 – and just one claim could stretch into the millions, the premiums on offer would be prohibitively expensive. Currently IMs work without insurance and their clients sign a form in acceptance of this. IMs argue that insurance is a profit-making industry, and that it is good standards of practice that make midwifery safe, not insurance policies. They also point out that by making insurance a compulsory prerequisite of registration, there are implications for the freedom of all midwives, not just independent ones. Potentially, the legislation could further erode birth freedom for women too, with insurance companies gaining a say in where and how they might be happy for births to take place.

There is a petition asking for government help in securing workable and affordable commercial insurance to find a way forward.

The Telegraph 25 March 2013

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