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Dear Annie No need to be defensive. I worked as an Independent Midwife in NZ for many years and fully support what you do. I wish you luck for your proposal and if I can be any support as someone who was involved in the early years of IM practice in NZ let me know. Maggie >>> [log in to unmask] 06/19/04 05:37pm >>> Hi, I'm an independent midwife working in South London and loving every minute...it is - for me - the only way to practice, having tried the NHS route and failing dismally. I salute everyone who is able to work within the system but my decision to work outside it doesn't mean I am not a supporter of the fundamental tenet of the NHS ie free at the point of delivery. To this end I am working, along with other IM's, towards persuading the Dep't of health to consider the proposal we have put together as another alternative for women and midwives...basically working as a self-emplyed midwife, alone, in partnerships or in small practices and contracting into the NHS on a set fee per case basis. We have met with the minister for mat services, Stephen Ladyman and hope to present the model to a working party looking at recruitment and retention issues. One of the Ministers' concerns was that not enough midwives would want to work in this way so we have put together a short on-line survey on our website, where you can also access the model. An important point is that the model sits alongside current provision, ie nothing has to be dismantled and it can grow up from a 'grassroots' start. Please have a look if you can and fill in the survey. Also tell everyone you know to do the same, there is also a version for the public. The website address is: www.independentmidwives.org.uk I would be very pleased to hear any thoughts, comments etc regards Annie Francis ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses. www.mimesweeper.com **********************************************************************