Susan Bull wrote:

> but what is all this about the possibility of abolishing midwifery from
the register

The legislation which comes into force in September 2001 abolishes the
current UKCC and puts in place what is currently known as the Nurses &
Midwives Council (a "Shadow Council" for the first year).  The crucial
aspect of this new legislation is that it is in the form of Orders by the
Secretary of State (i.e. not primary legislation which requires debate in
the House).  One of the items which we are concerned about is the power of
the Health Secretary to close part of the Register. The specific text is
3.2(b) contained in MODERNISING REGULATION - THE NEW NURSING & MIDWIFERY
COUNCIL (A Consultation Document) Published by the NHS Executive in August
2000. (download from www.dog.gov.uk/nmcconsult )

Extract follows:

"Section 3     KEEPING THE REGISTER

3.1    The Register will be divided into such parts as the Secretary of
State may by order ("a designation order") designate, on a proposal by
Council or otherwise.  Etc....

3.2    A designation order may provide for:

(b) a specified part of the Register to be closed as from a specified date,
so that on or after that date no further people can be registered in it."

End of Extract

While it's doubtful that Council would propose the closing of the Midwifery
Register, It's that phrase "or otherwise" which carries a threat to our
profession.  Of course, most of us (ARM members, List members, etc.) don't
anticipate the midwifery part of the register actually being closed -
however, it remains a possibility if the Orders remain as worded above, and
especially as there seems to be a definite move to subsume midwifery into
the nursing profession .  So we want the wording to be changed in such a way
as to safeguard midwifery - i.e. that it remains a permanent registerable
profession.

Do read the whole of the consultation paper, even though the consultation
period is now ended, so you will be able to respond to the Draft legislation
when it is published (any day now!!!).

Hope the above is helpful.

Susan also asked "Has anyone asked women how they might feel about this?"

The answer is a guarded "yes" in that AIMS, NCT, etc. were also invited to
respond to the consultation document.  Though how much notice will be taken
of their response is anyone's guess!


Have fun!

In sisterhood
Ishbel

from
Ishbel Kargar SRN SCM (retired)
Admin. Secretary
Association of Radical Midwives
62 Greetby Hill, Ormskirk, L39 2DT

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www.midwifery.org.uk