Midwifery Essay Assessment Task 2026 | Legal, Professional and Ethical Frameworks for Midwifery

Midwifery Essay Assessment Task

Write a 2500-word essay that discusses the importance of the professional, legal and ethical frameworks that underpin midwifery practice. You will then discuss the different types of maternity care systems in the UK and consider the impact of these on women, families and health care professionals. Following on from this you will explore the role of the midwife and the factors that influence maternal health and family wellbeing, evaluating effective communication and its impact on person centred and family centred care.

Assessment Number: 1
Assessment Type (and weighting): Essay – 2500 words (80%)

Learning Outcomes Assessed

LO1: Discuss the importance of the professional, legal and ethical frameworks that underpin midwifery practice – Assessment 1: Essay

LO2: Discuss the different types of maternity care systems in the UK and consider the impact of these on women, families and health care professionals – Assessment 1: Essay

LO3: Explore the role of the midwife and the factors that influence maternal health and family wellbeing – Assessment 1: Essay

LO4: Evaluate effective communication and its impact on person centred and family centred care – Assessment 1: Essay

I would like to have a very high 2:1 or a 1st class mark if possible. I would like to have a minimum of 20 references and mainly within the last 5 years.

Draft Essay Plan

Introduction (≈200 words)

Purpose

• Introduce midwifery as a regulated, autonomous profession

• Establish the importance of professional, legal and ethical frameworks

• Briefly signpost:

  • maternity care systems in the UK

  • the role of the midwife

  • communication and person-centred care

Key references

• NMC (2018; 2019)

• Marshall & Raynor (2020)

• Royal College of Midwives (RCM) (2021) – Standards for Midwifery Education

LO1: Professional, Legal & Ethical Frameworks (≈700 words)

Paragraph 1: Professional framework

What to cover

• Define the professional framework:

  • NMC Code

  • accountability

  • scope of practice

  • revalidation

Why it is important

• consistency of care

• public trust

• professional identity

Example

• Practising within competence

• Reflective practice

Critical element

• Consequences when professional standards are not upheld

Key references

• NMC Code (2018)

• McLeod et al. (2020)

Paragraph 2: Legal framework

What to cover

• Define the legal framework:

  • duty of care

  • consent

  • safeguarding

  • documentation

Why it matters

• protects women and babies

• protects midwives legally

• underpins safe decision-making

Example

• Informed consent

• Safeguarding referral

Critical element

• Tension between legal duty and woman’s choice

Key references

• Dimond (Legal Aspects of Midwifery)

• Montgomery v Lanarkshire

Paragraph 3: Ethical framework

What to cover

• Ethical principles:

  • autonomy

  • beneficence

  • non-maleficence

  • justice

Why ethics are central to midwifery

• woman-centred care

• shared decision-making

Example

• Birth preferences

• Cultural considerations

Critical element

• Ethical dilemmas in practice

Key references

• Beauchamp & Childress

• Marshall & Raynor (2020)

Paragraph 4: Integration of frameworks

What to cover

• How professional, legal and ethical frameworks overlap

• Why integration is essential for safe, compassionate care

LO2: Maternity Care Systems in the UK (≈600 words)

Paragraph 5: Midwifery-led care (low risk)

What to cover

• What it is and how it works

• Settings (home, birth centre)

Benefits

• continuity

• reduced intervention

• woman satisfaction

Limitations

• Not suitable for high-risk pregnancies

Key references

• NICE Intrapartum Care

• Sandall et al. (continuity of care)

Paragraph 6: Consultant-led care (high risk)

What to cover

• What it is and when it is used

• MDT working

Benefits

• specialist input

• emergency management

Limitations

• Potential loss of continuity

• Medicalisation

Paragraph 7: Community-based care & Continuity of Carer

What to cover

• Community midwifery role

• Continuity of Carer (CoC) model

Impact on

• women

• families

• healthcare professionals

Critical element

• Workforce pressures and sustainability

LO3: Role of the Midwife & Influences on Wellbeing (≈450 words)

Paragraph 8: Role of the midwife

What to cover

• Antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal care

• Health promotion

• Advocacy

• Safeguarding

• MDT working

Key references

• NMC (2018)

• NHS England

Paragraph 9: Factors influencing maternal health & family wellbeing

What to cover

• Physical health

• Mental health

• Social determinants

• Inequalities

• Family support

First-class focus

• Holistic, woman-centred approach

LO4: Communication & Person-Centred Care (≈450 words)

Paragraph 10: Importance of effective communication

What to cover

• Builds trust

• Enhances safety

• Supports informed choice

• Reduces errors and complaints

Key references

• NMC communication standards

• NHS patient safety literature

Paragraph 11: Person- and family-centred care

What to cover

• Define person-centred and family-centred care

• Role of communication in:

  • inclusion

  • respect

  • shared decision-making

Contrast

• Impact of poor communication:

  • anxiety

  • disengagement

  • poorer outcomes

Conclusion (≈150–200 words)

What to include

• Concise summary of each LO

• Reinforce importance of:

  • frameworks

  • care systems

  • midwife’s role

  • communication

• Forward-looking closing statement about safe, compassionate midwifery practice

Answer

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