South Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA) holds the statutory responsibility for the Local Supervising Authority (LSA). The LSA covers the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The Local Supervising Authority (LSA)

The LSA must ensure that statutory supervision of midwives within the region is of a satisfactory standard and ensure midwifery practice is safe within its boundaries. This includes all midwives practicing in the region, irrespective of their employer.

SCSHA discharges this responsibility through the appointment of a Local Supervisory Midwifery Officer (LSA Midwifery Officer). The LSA Midwifery Officer is professionally accountable to the Nursing and Midwifery Council for the UK (NMC).

Annual Report to the Nursing and Midwifery Council

Click here to access the 2009  Annual Report.

The role of the Local Supervisory Midwifery Officer (LSA Midwifery Officer)

The Midwives Rules and Standards (2004) govern the framework in which Midwives and Supervisors of Midwives meet the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001.   Articles 42 and 43 of this Order describe the NMC rules for the regulation of Midwifery, describing the role of supervision and the LSA Midwifery Officer.

Responsibilities of the LSA Midwifery Officer include:

• Providing a framework of support for supervision and midwifery practice
• Receiving and processing annual notification of intention to practice for each practicing midwife
• Ensuring midwives meet the statutory requirements for practice
• Ensuring that there is access to continuing education and training for supervisors of midwives
• Investigating allegations of misconduct
• Determination of, and where necessary appropriate suspension of, a midwife from practice in accordance with the NMC rules and standards
• Selection and de-selection of supervisors.

These responsibilities are further clarified within the NMC Midwives Rules and Standards (2004).The LSA Midwifery Officer works as part of the Clinical Standards Team to:

• Develop and monitor evidence-based guidelines to set standards of care
• Reduce variations in care
• Reduce inappropriate care
• Improve quality across all healthcare.

Support for parents – How supervision and supervisors of midwives can help you:

Supervisors of midwives give guidance and support to both midwives and you to ensure that the care offered is right for you, is given in the right place, by the right person and that it will benefit you and your baby.

Click here to access the Nursing and Midwifery Council leaflet on supporting parents.

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