 News
12th March 2007
Insurance threat for independent midwives
Plans to ensure all health professionals are insured against adverse
outcomes could mean the end for independent midwifery, experts have warned.
The Independent Midwives Association (IMA) says its members cannot get
professional indemnity insurance (PII) and without a rethink on the new
proposals, independent midwifery would effectively become illegal.
The IMA says that it's impossible for its members to get insurance due
to the nature of their work. Childbirth is a high-risk area for insurers,
as negative outcomes are expected, blame is often hard to prove and insurance
payouts can run into millions of pounds.
Midwives in the NHS are covered by their employers insurance, but the
IMA is calling for its members to be exempt from the regulations.
The Department of Health have said they are looking for a solution but
patient safety could not be compromised.
The IMA stress that independent midwives play a key role in relieving
the pressure on the NHS but unless the government can find a solution,
they will be forced out of existence, adding more pressure to the health
service which is already struggling to cope.
They are calling for affordable indemnity insurance to be made available
to all midwives, regardless of their area of work, as has been done in
other countries, or for exemption for independent midwives from the requirement
to have PII.
A Department of Health spokesperson said efforts were being made to find
alternative arrangements for independent midwives.
"We are hopeful we will make changes that will enable independent contractors,
if they are commissioned by a Primary Care Trust, to access the NHS Clinical
Negligence Scheme.
"While it is important to support the employment of independent midwives,
especially in relation to extended choice and diversity of provision,
it cannot be at the cost of safety to the woman and her unborn child."
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