ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the broader political, cultural and social factors that impact upon the role of the midwife, the professional responsibilities and the women and families that people care for. It considers the history and regulation of midwifery and the organisational factors that impact upon maternity services. The midwife's role will be viewed within both a historical and current day context and consideration given to how a positive working culture can be established to facilitate the promotion of professional relations and women-centred care. The chapter explores the broader sociological factors that impact upon the childbearing woman and her family. The role of the consultant midwife is well established within England and an established consultant midwife training programme has been provided in some part of the UK since 2008. This is to ensure that opportunity is provided for midwives to acquire the appropriate skills and professional development in areas such as strategic leadership, service improvement and policy.
