Time to have your say

The long-awaited future midwife consultation has been launched by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). It is made up of two parts: standards of proficiency for midwives (what they need to know and be competent to do) and the standards for pre-registration education programmes. The standards of proficiency apply to all midwives from the point of registration onwards. It is therefore important that midwives respond to the consultation, which closes on Thursday 9 May 2019.

These standards are important because they set the framework for midwives for many years to come. They address changes in practice and in care priorities since the last update; hence the focus on quality care and the high profile given to perinatal mental health and continuity of carer.

These standards have been developed over 3 years. The project has been led by Professor Mary Renfrew and has involved many midwives and service users. A UK-wide reference group, NMC-led events and social media campaigns have been introduced to keep people involved.