MW2S003 - Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues in Midwifery 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: MW2S003
Module Title: Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues in Midwifery
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Nursing and Midwifery
Faculty Sub Group: Nursing
Module Leader: Eluned Ejiofor
Module Team: Lynda Milton, Sarah Aubrey, Joanna Thompson, Sian Preddy
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100288 - midwifery
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To enable the student to develop, evaluate and apply knowledge of the professional, legal, and ethical issues to midwifery practice.

Content Summary

Exploration and application of professional codes, including decision making, accountability and the duty of candour.

Professional, legal, and ethical concepts and principles applied to midwifery practice. Consideration of ethical dilemmas throughout the childbirth continuum.

Reflect on and debate topics including those that are seen to be challenging or contentious.

The human rights of childbearing individuals, the fetus and newborn infants.

Sexual and reproductive rights of individuals.

Recognising, and preventing discrimination and promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion within midwifery practice.

Political awareness and developing influencing skills in leadership as a midwife in the 21st Century.

Principles of vulnerability and safeguarding, deprivation of liberty, protection and safeguards and their application to childbearing individuals, newborn infants, partners, and families.

Autonomy, advocacy, empowering and supporting childbearing individuals’ choice, informed consent, facilitating decision making.

A consideration of compassionate leadership and Malcomess Care Aims Framework in practice.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 20
Seminar 16
Project supervision 4
Practical classes and workshops 12
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 36
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 4
Formative Assessment - Independent 4
Groupwork 4
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Analyse the legal, ethical and professional concepts underpinning safe and effective midwifery practice.
LO2 Apply a detailed knowledge of legal, ethical and professional concepts to midwifery practice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 A case study encountered in clinical practice that appraises and applies relevant legal, ethical and professional issues in midwifery practice. 0 3000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Case study 1

Reading List

Brodrick, A. and Williamson, E. (Eds.) (2020) Listening to women after childbirth. Routledge: Oxford.

Clarke, E. (2015) Law and ethics for midwifery. Routledge: Oxford.

Dimond, B. (2013) Legal aspects of midwifery. 4th edn. London: Quay.

Jefford, E. and Jomeen, J. (Eds.) (2019) Empowering decision-making in midwifery: a global perspective. Routledge: Oxford.

Lindsay, P. and Peate, I. (Eds.) (2016) Introducing the social sciences for midwifery practice: birthing in a contemporary society. Routledge: Oxford.

Mander, R. and Murphy-Lawless, J. (2013) The politics of maternity. Routledge: Oxford.

Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) The Code. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/

Nursing and Midwifery Council (2019) Enabling Professionalism. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/guidance/ptofesionalism/

Nursing and Midwifery Council (2019) Guidance on the duty of Professional Candour. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/guidance/the-professional-duty-of-candour/

Nursing and Midwifery Council (2021) Practicing as a Midwife. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/nmc-publications/practising-as-a-midwife-in-the-uk.pdf

Peate, I. and Hamilton, C. (Eds.) (2014) The student's guide to becoming a midwife. 2nd edn. Wiley-Blackwell: London.

Shibley, R. and Myers, R. (2019) Courage in healthcare: a necessary virtue or warning sign? Sage Publications Ltd: London

Schiller, R. (2016) Why human rights in childbirth matter. Pinter & Martin Ltd: London.

Woodward, K. and Woodward, S. (2020) Birth and death: experience, ethics, politics. Routledge: Oxford.