IM UK response to Independent on Sunday article
In response to the article in The Independent on Sunday (Sunday, 16 August 2009), Independent Midwives UK (formerly IMA) are disappointed that the article does not accurately reflect the current situation surrounding professional indemnity insurance.
We have been actively working with the DoH to seek a solution for all involved. IM UK have been tirelessly seeking to obtain adequate, affordable and appropriate professional indemnity cover since 1994 and continue to do so. However, since 2002 there has been no professional indemnity insurance available at all. This is because it is not a commercially viable option for insurance companies due to the small numbers of independent midwives.
This left independent midwives with no choice but to practise uninsured or to cease practising.
It is because we believe passionately in supporting women’s right to choose where, how and with whom to birth their babies, and because women need, value, and indeed lobbied for the services of independent midwives to continue, despite lack of insurance, that we have continued to practise at great personal financial risk. Independent midwives are fully qualified, regulated midwives who provide a high quality professional service, offering continuity throughout pregnancy, birth and after the baby is born.
The case quoted in the article was investigated at the time by the statutory supervisory process and found there was no case to answer.
Currently IM UK is working, with encouragement from the government, to set up the infrastructure to contract independent midwifery services into the NHS. This would provide cover for those NHS clients through the government indemnity scheme. IM UK also continues to seek professional indemnity insurance from commercial sources.