ABSTRACT
From the early 1990s, obstetric units started to develop risk management strategies, largely in response to the rising tide of litigation and the immense drain on human and financial resources that this involves. Many now employ risk managers on a full or part time basis. Although much of the work of risk managers involves damage limitation, they are also proactive in encouraging safe practice, both with individuals and with the use of sensible protocols and guidelines. Mutual monitoring of practice should allow substandard doctors and midwives to be identified before they do harm; they can then be advised and encouraged to change their practice.
