The Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (Supervisors of Midwives) Amendment Rules Approval Order 1997

Made: 16th July 1997

Coming into force: 6th August 1997

In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by section 19(5) of the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1997[^f00001], and having satisfied myself that the Rules made by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting set out in the Schedule to this Order are framed in accordance with the recommendations of the Council’s Midwifery Committee[^f00002], I hereby approve those Rules.

This Order may be cited as the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (Supervisors of Midwives) Amendment Rules Approval Order 1997 and shall come into force on 6th August 1997.

SCHEDULE — The Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (Supervisors of Midwives) Rules

The United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by the following sections of the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979[^f00003] (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”), namely:—

• Section 2(4)

• Section 10(3)

• Section 15(1)

• Section 16(3)

• Section 22(1)

and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf having, in accordance with Sections 4(2) and 22(3) of the Act, consulted the Midwifery Committee, the National Boards and representatives of any group of persons who appear likely to be affected by these rules, hereby makes the following rules:—

Citation and Interpretation

1

• (1) These rules may be cited as the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (Supervisors of Midwives) Rules 1997.

• (2) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, “the principal rules” means the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Rules 1983[^f00004].

Amendment of the Principal Rules

2

• (1) The principal rules shall be amended in accordance with the following paragraphs of this rule.

• (2) In rule 9(2) after the words “(3) and (7)” there shall be added the words “and to rule 44(3)”.

• (3) For rule 44 there shall be substituted the following:—

(44) (1) A person appointed by a local supervising authority in accordance with Section 16(3) of the Act shall— (a) be a registered and practising midwife; (b) either— (i) have 3 years' experience as a practising midwife of which at least one shall have been in the period of two years immediately preceding the appointment; or (ii) obtain such further midwifery experience, and within such period, as may be required by the Council; and (c) have successfully completed a course described in paragraph (2) within the 3 year period prior to the appointment unless, in an individual case (and, in particular, in the case of a national of an EEA State or other person entitled to be treated, for the purpose of appointment as a supervisor of midwives, no less faviourably than a national of such a State, having regard to any enforceable Community law right or any enactment giving effect to a Community obligation), the Council decides otherwise. (2) A course referred to in paragraph (1)(c) shall be— (a) provided at an institution approved by a National Board; (b) of no fewer than 100 hours' duration; and (c) designed to enable the midwife to achieve the following outcomes— (i) an understanding of the way in which the supervision of midwives enhances standards of care; (ii) an understanding of the application of law relevant to midwifery practice and the supervision of midwives; (iii) the ability to provide professional support to practising midwives relevant to maintaining and promoting standards of care; (iv) the ability to encourage midwives to use their experience in practice to enhance their professional development; and (v) an understanding of accountability and professional responsibility as a supervisor of midwives. (3) A supervisor of midwives shall complete, as part of the requirements of rule 9(2)(a)(ii)(aa), at least 15 hours' study relating to the supervision of midwives in each registration period of her appointment, unless the Council, in an individual case, decides that such a study may be reduced.

Signed

Frank Dobson — One of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State — Department of Health — 16th July 1997

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

The Rules approved this Order, made by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, further amend the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Rules approved by the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Rules Approval Order 1983 (S.I. 1983/873).

The Rules make new provision prescribing the qualifications necessary to be eligible to be a supervisor of midwives under what is now section 15(3) of the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1997 and specify certain of the continuing education requirements of supervisors of midwives.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 1997 c. 24.

[^f00002]: See Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979, section 4(4).

[^f00003]: 1979 c. 36 as amended by the Nurses, Midewives and Health Visitors Act 1992 (c. 16) and by the Nursing Midwifery Qualifications (EEC Recognition) Order 1983 S.I. 1983/884 as amended by S.I. 1984/1975 and The European Communities (Medical, Dental and Nursing Professions) (Linguistic Knowledge) Order S.I. 1981/432.

[^f00004]: Approved by S.I. 1983/873. Part V and Schedules 1 to 12 of the Principal Rules (concerning midwives) were substituted by the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (Midwives Amendment) Rules (approved by S.I. 1986/786). These Rules have been amended by 1990/1624, 1993/1901, 1993/2106 and 1995/967.