Over the last few days we have been fielding enquiries from people either directly affected or concerned by the NMC’s decision about IMUK’s indemnity insurance, asking what they can do.
While we await the response to our letter to the NMC, the maternity community are really pulling together to support midwives and women affected.
The RCM yesterday put out a statement suggesting that honorary NHS contracts could be a solution for some independent midwives. Simon Mehigan, Birthrights Trustee and Deputy Director of Midwifery at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, is meeting with a number of Independent Midwives to discuss how honorary contracts may be used to support local women.
“We will do anything we can to mitigate the impact on women who have chosen to hire Independent Midwives and now find themselves in a very uncertain and stressful position. I am in the process of offering honorary contracts to the Independent Midwives we work with and I will be sharing the details of these contracts with other London Heads of Midwifery. If anyone else would like further details I urge you to get in touch.”
If you have hired an Independent Midwife, you should speak to your midwife/IMUK about the options open to you. They will be able to update you on their own discussions with local Trusts. You could also consider speaking to a Supervisor of Midwives at your local NHS Trust about what NHS care can be offered.
Anyone concerned about the NMC’s decision can:
– Write to Jackie Smith, CEO and Chief Registrar at NMC using Birthrights letter as a template
– Write to your MP and to Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health
– Sign this petition