Explanatory note

The Rules approved by this Order, made by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (“the Council”), further amend the principal Rules approved by the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Rules Approval Order 1983.

Rule 2 of these Rules amends rule 36 of the principal Rules so as to require local supervising authorities to give monthly notice to the Council about midwives who give them notices of their intention to practise; amends rule 37 of the principal Rules so that, as respects refresher courses, no exception is made for midwives in Northern Ireland; amends rule 38 of the principal Rules so that local supervising authorities are required to notify the Council instead of the National Boards about midwives suspended from practice; amends rule 41 of the principal Rules so that the Council’s approval of an inhalation analgesic appliance and pain relief apparatus which midwives may use in the course of their practice is no longer subject to the recommendations of the National Boards; amends rule 43 of the principal Rules by substituting for the National Boards, as respects inspection of premises and equipment, the Council and any authority designated by the Council; amends rule 44 of the principal Rules so that a person to be appointed as supervisor of midwives is required to complete an appropriate course of education before appointment; and inserts a newrule 45 which requires local supervisory authorities to publish within every two years the means by which they investigate and determine misconduct allegations and all their policies affecting midwives' practice.