Recurring concern
Inadequate competence assurance and supervision for inexperienced midwives
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Request correctionFirst reported 21 Apr 2015•Latest report 2 Dec 2024
What this concern includes
Includes failures in midwifery arrangements for assessing experience, providing procedure-specific training, assigning suitable duties, ensuring supervision or support, and escalating for assistance when inexperienced or newly qualified midwives undertake maternity care.
Not included
- Excludes generic healthcare staffing, supervision or training deficiencies where midwifery competence or supervision is not the identified unsafe condition.
- Excludes failures involving doctors, nurses or other professional groups unless the assertion explicitly concerns supervision or competence assurance for midwives.
- Excludes substantive clinical errors or delays where the midwife had appropriate competence assurance and supervision available.
- Excludes staffing-capacity, rota or workforce-retention concerns where the shared unsafe condition is not the competence or supervision of inexperienced midwives.
- Excludes deficiencies in a named procedure's clinical guidance where midwifery competence assurance or supervision is not the identified concern.
- Reports
- 7
- Individual concerns
- 7
- Date range
- 2015–2024
- Stated actions
- 7
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Insufficient supervision of newly qualified midwives managing women in labour
This report raised 9 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Implement the enhanced NHSE midwifery preceptorship framework, including 150 hours of supernumerary status and protected progress meetings.
Stated by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Maintain Practice Development Midwife clinical support for preceptee midwives.
Stated by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
NHS providers are responsible for designing preceptorship programmes and determining additional support for newly qualified midwives.
Stated by NHS England
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Concerns raised1
Lack of specific requirements for midwives’ training and ongoing exposure to home births
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure midwives have sufficient experience before taking up community posts
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Employers are responsible for designing and delivering preceptorship programmes for newly registered midwives.
Stated by Department of Health and Social Care
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Concerns raised1
Failure to verify newly qualified midwives' CTG tracing interpretation proficiency before recruitment
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure support and supervision for inexperienced midwives performing episiotomy
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Inadequate preceptorship for newly qualified and part-time midwives
This report raised 13 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Update the midwifery preceptorship programme with a competency-based framework, rotating preceptors and structured support.
Stated by The Trust -
Action
Recruit a practice development midwife to support preceptorship and provide a reference point for newly qualified midwives.
Stated by The Trust
-
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide further support to midwives without experience in newborn resuscitation
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
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Action
Require all employed midwives to complete annual neonatal resuscitation theory and simulation training under accredited trainers.
Stated by Bedford Hospital -
Action
Provide new starter midwives with a structured orientation period, nominated preceptor and managerial and supervisory support tailored to learning needs.
Stated by Bedford Hospital -
Action
Risk-assess case complexity at handover and throughout each shift, allocate women according to staff experience and competence, and record four-hourly reviews.
Stated by Bedford Hospital
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Existing training, orientation, supervision and emergency support systems sufficiently address risks from limited hands-on neonatal resuscitation experience.
Stated by Bedford Hospital
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Position
A second person is not required at birth; midwives must request support when clinically necessary, with assistance available through existing arrangements.
Stated by Bedford Hospital
Data last updated 7 September 2026