Independent Midwives are fully qualified, registered midwives who have undergone the same level of midwifery education and training as NHS midwives. The basic difference is that independent midwives have chosen to offer care outside of the NHS, in order to provide women and their families with one-to-one, women-centred care without the constraints that often hinder the care NHS midwives would like to offer.

Midwifery is one of the most regulated professions in the UK. This is the same whether the midwife chooses to practice independently or within the NHS. All midwives are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which is the governing body and are bound by The Midwives Rules and Standards, and The Code of Professional Conduct which ensures that all midwives practice in a safe and professional manner. All midwives must remain updated with current research based practice to stay registered.

At present independent midwives are unable to obtain professional indemnity insurance (PII) and must make their clients aware of this fact. All Independent Midwives have been informed that the government is intending to make professional indemnity insurance (PII) a compulsory requirement for registration within 12-18 months. There is currently no PII available to independent midwives so they will no longer be able to practice legally once this requirement comes into effect if the government does not ensure that professional indemnity insurance is available to all midwives.

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