Half of registered midwives 'not working in the profession'

Under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, all pregnant women are entitled to free maternity care provided by a GP and their team as well as hospital obstetricians.

Almost half of the more than 9,000 midwives registered to work in Ireland are not actually working in the profession, the All-Island Maternity and Midwifery Festival has heard. 

One midwife accepted a job with a GP practice working with pregnant women but was ultimately unable to take this up as State funding only covers nurses in this role, not midwives.