What is an Independent Midwife?
An independent midwife is fully qualified and registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council but has chosen to care for women outside the NHS.
Independent midwives are regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in exactly the same way as NHS midwives. All midwives abide by the same Midwives Rules and Standards and The Code of Professional Conduct. This ensures safety and professionalism.
As an independent midwife, I am able to provide individualised care starting with your first appointment. It is known that continuity of care helps women achieve successful outcomes with birth expectations and breastfeeding.
An independent midwife is a private midwife because they are not employed by the NHS. However, should the need arise, independent midwives liaise closely with NHS colleagues.
Some midwives have left the NHS to become independent as they feel unable to provide an acceptable standard of care within the current NHS system.
Independent midwifery care provides continuity of care and accessibility of your own independent midwife.