§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many male nurses have undergone, or are undergoing, training as male midwives in the United Kingdom; and at what centres.
§ Sir George YoungTwo centres for training male midwives have been designated under the transitional provision in the Sex Discrimination Act 1975; the Islington district school of midwifery and the Forth Valley college of nursing and midwifery. At the former centre, 11 male nurses have commenced training since the course became available in 1977, seven have completed training and one is currently in training.
At the Scottish centre, where training also began in 1977, seven have completed training, three have discontinued and nine are currently in training.
The United Kingdom health departments are reviewing these training schemes in the light of research reports received.