Brussels, 11/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - Representatives of midwifery regulators from 18 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the UK) met in London at the end of May to discuss ways in which they can work together to enhance the safety of women and babies across the EU. The event, organised on the initiative of the French Order of Midwives and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, allowed participants to engage in open and interactive discussion of the challenges posed by EU legislation on the freedom of movement of professionals across Europe.
Those present agreed to set up an informal network of European midwifery regulators. The aim of this network will be to improve the exchange of best practice between regulators and to co-ordinate joint communications with EU decision makers on issues of mutual concern, especially in regard to EU legislation. A second meeting of European midwifery regulators will be held in Paris on 20 November.
The French Order of Midwives is a private body, with a legal responsibility to uphold and promote public health among mothers and newly-born children. It is responsible for the registration, regulation and inspection of midwives working in France. Since the end of 2007, it has had a permanent monitoring and representation office in Brussels, a press release says. For further information, go to http: //http://www.ordre-sages-femmes.fr or http: ///http://www.nmc-ik.org (G.B./transl.rt)