Midwives (Hansard, 5 November 2001)

§ Mr. Hutton

The Department is working closely with the Royal College of Midwives to encourage and support returning midwives. The National Health Service now offers all midwives improved pay, more supportive and family friendly working and training conditions, better access to continuing professional development and a better career structure. Applications for midwifery diploma courses are 63 per cent. higher than they were in 115W 1997–98. In 2000–01 there were 14 per cent. more training places for midwives than there were in 1996–97. Since February 1999, 299 midwives have already returned to the NHS with another 170 in the pipeline.

Returning midwives receive £1,500 financial support and generous assistance with child care support is available while retraining. All midwives will have access to the benefits offered by the Department's child care strategy. For example, access to on-site nurseries, offering flexible opening and subsidised places, together with access to child care co-ordinators who will help midwives meet other child care needs. Over 60 new NHS nurseries are currently being built, providing an additional 2,500 places.

The amount of child care assistance received will be determined by whether or not the returner is employed while retraining. For parents who are not employed while retraining, assistance with child care costs incurred while attending refresher training and associated clinical placements should be provided up to Working Families Tax Credit levels.

For parents who are employed while retraining, employers and local child care co-ordinators should help returners access suitable, affordable child care, including access to the child care support available through the Working Families Tax Credit, where applicable.