§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on an autonomous midwifery profession.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Government recognise that midwives are educated and trained to take full care of women during the antenatal, intrapartum and post-natal period, referring to a doctor if there are any deviations from the normal. "Changing Childbirth", the report of the expert group, fully supports this ethos and the national health service is working towards the implementation of the report's recommendations within a five year time-scale.