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75
PUBLIC HEALTH AND LEGISLATIVE MEASURES, 1903.
MIDWIYES ACT, 1902.—This is an Act to secure the
better training of mid wives and to regulate their practice.
Except where otherwise stated the Act came into force in
April, 1903, and the chief provisions are the following :—
1. From and after April 1st, 1905, no woman may use
the name or title of midwife, or any name or title implying that
she is certified under this Act, or is recognised by law as a
midwife.
2. From and after April 1st, 1910, no woman shall
habitually and for gain attend women in child-birth unless she
is certified under this Act, except under the direction of a
qualified medical practitioner.
3. No woman shall be certified until she has complied
with the rules and regulations laid down by the Central
Mid wives Board.
4. No woman certified under this Act shall employ an
uncertified person as her substitute.
5. A Central Midwives Board has been appointed to
regulate the issue of certificates, the course of training for
midwives, the admission of women to the roll of women in
practice prior to the passing of the Act, regulating within due
limits the practice of midwives and the conditions under which
they may be suspended.
Local Supervision of Midwives.—Every Council of a
County or County Borough throughout England and Wales
shall, on the commencement of this Act, be the local supervision
authority.
1. To exercise general supervision over midwives
practising in their area.