New EU directives put independent midwives under threat
From February, it will be illegal for them to be registered without professional insurance, which many cannot afford
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Like Mary, the mother of Christ, pregnant women may be forced to give birth in unsafe circumstances, independent midwives warned yesterday. EU red tape means mothers-to-be in the UK may no longer be able to give birth at a place of their choice or with a midwife they felt safe with, said Independent Midwives UK (IM UK).
They protested against the changes by re-enacting the nativity outside the Department of Health in Westminster. From February, EU directives make it illegal for independent midwives to be registered without professional insurance. However, midwives are unable to pay the high-priced insurance themselves, and so will be unable to practise. There are worries that without the choice of independent midwives, many women would choose potentially dangerous free births instead of going into NHS hospitals.
IM UK chair Jacqui Tomkins said: "There's a 22 per cent rise in the UK birth rate. To take the independent midwife option away seems completely bonkers." IM UK has proposed that midwives self-insure from a joint fund into which they would pay. They asked the Government to contribute £10m to the fund arguing it would still save the expense of the NHS employing them directly.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments