Staffing support and regulation
Midwifery Supervision
Midwifery practice is governed by the framework laid down in the Nursing
and Midwifery Order 2001. There is a regulating body, the Nursing &
Midwifery Council (NMC), which maintains a professional register of
practising midwives, publishes the Midwives Rules and Standards (2004) and
investigates allegations of professional misconduct.
The Act of Parliament makes provision for the statutory supervision of
midwives through Local Supervising Authorities (LSA) for which
responsibility is delegated to Health Authorities that are grouped to form
regions. These regions are coterminous with the ten Strategic Health
Authorities in England, there are two in Wales and 3 in Scotland and 1 in
Northern Ireland (4 health boards). In each region, a LSA Midwifery
Officer (LSAMO) is appointed to whom every midwife must notify intention to
practise midwifery each year.
The purpose of supervision is to maintain the highest standards of care for
mothers and babies through evidence based practice. The LSA appoints
supervisors at a local level to provide professional leadership in
facilitating up-to-date, confident and competent practitioners in a culture
of life long learning. The LSA maintains a database of supervisors and
midwives and monitors effectiveness of the function through regular audit
of standards. Critical incidents are fully investigated and lessons learned
applied to practice. Each LSA produces an annual report which must be
signed by the chief executive and submitted to the NMC by the end of
September. These reports are usually available from the SHA website
Local supervisors are appointed at an ideal ratio of one per 15 midwives
and are theoretically independent of the management structure in units, a
contact supervisor is appointed for each trust and these can be contacted
through the trust direct or via the LSA Midwifery Officer. A list of names
and contact details is held on the NMC website