Since 2002, Independent Midwives (IMs) have been unable to obtain profession indemnity insurance (PII). The last insurer withdrew from the market because there are too few of IMs to make PII commercially viable in light of potential payouts.
In 2006 the UK government introduced a policy, independent of the later EU Directive, to implement mandatory Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) for all healthcare professionals. It was intended to be implemented profession by profession, with nursing and midwifery amongst the last remaining.
IM UK continues to explore all the possible options. There are a number of potential solutions. Work continues in establishing alternative models of working for independent midwives that will enable them to continue to be able to practise in a way that supports a true case loading model, gives women a choice of midwifery care and midwives some professional autonomy and choice in the way they work. This is also likely to make an important contribution in solving the to date insurmountable problem of midwife retention in the profession. However there is no guarantee that these will succeed and funding is required if the social franchising type model is to move forward. IM UK will keep interested parties updated.
For full details of the current situation and the route that have and are being explored; please see the following document:
Current Situation with regard to the forthcoming requirement for mandatory Professional Indemnity Insurance which covers:
AIMS is being asked by people what can they do to try to protect Independent Midwifery and to make sure that this valuable resource is there for future generations.
A demonstration is planned for the 25th March 2013. Please see www.independentmidwives.org.uk/?node=12750 for further details
We hope that this page is of interest, especially to our colleagues in the maternity services improvement community.
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AIMS supports all maternity service users to navigate the system as it exists, and campaigns for a system which truly meets the needs of all.