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
