Peace of mind
For all services that are not clinical midwifery services insurance in in place. This is not the case for Midwifery Services
Midwifery is the most securely regulated profession in the UK. All practising midwives must adhere to the Midwives’ Rules which are enshrined in the 1902 Midwives Act of Parliament and subsequent amendments. All independent midwives have undertaken full midwifery training and are subject to annual supervisory visits and equipment checks. In line with the requirements of our regulatory body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, we are required to ensure that our clinical practice is up to date and that our actions are within our sphere of competence.
Independent Midwives are unable to secure Professional Indemnity Insurance. The implications of Independent Midwives not having indemnity insurance is that in cases where a baby is born damaged, and it is proved to be due to the midwife’s negligence, there would be no financial recompense via an insurance company. If negligence was proved any pay out to you and your baby would depend on the independent midwife’s assets and therefore is unlikely to be large.
Independent Midwives UK continues to pursue Professional Indemnity Insurance on the commercial market as their members would prefer to be insured given the choice. In the UK the number of Independent Midwives is currently quite small (less than 150) and therefore insurance companies will not make a profit by selling them professional indemnity insurance. The lack of being able to purchase insurance has no connection to how or where Independent Midwives Practice.
Taken from Independent Midwives UK website.
Why Birch? Birch is the first tree in the ancient tree alphabet and signals new beginnings and a new start - for you and your family, for the new baby and for us as a relationship.