Save Independent Midwifery

Since 2003 Independent Midwives in Australia have been unable to obtain professional indemnity insurance. Insurance companies felt that the number of independent midwives is extremely small and that one claim would wipe out any premiums they'd obtain - making independent midwives an uneconomical group to support. As far as we can ascertain there have been no major claims against independent midwives (or none that the insurance companies have let us know about). This had a big impact on my independent midwifery practice. I'd enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with Prince Alfred Hospital at Camperdown - I had visiting rights as an independent midwife which enabled me to support women as their primary caregiver in the birth centre and also enabled me to continue care for women who required a transfer after a planned homebirth. In NSW the Nurses and Midwives Registration board does state that we are supposed to carry Professional Indemnity insurance but does not enforce it.

It seems that Independent Midwifery in the UK is not so fortunate. The government is proposing that all health professionals carry professional indemnity insurance - which effectively will make it illegal for independent midwives to continue practicing. I cannot believe that such problems face my sisters in the UK. If you wish to read more go to http://www.saveindependentmidwifery.org/