Welcome to the website for the West of Scotland Local Supervising Authorities (LSA). The Local Supervising Authority must ensure that statutory supervision of midwives is of a satisfactory standard and ensure safe and secure midwifery care within its boundaries. This includes all midwives practising in the LSA, irrespective of their employer.
The function of the LSA is discharged through the appointment of a Local Supervisory Midwifery Officer (LSAMO). The LSAMO is professionally accountable to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The role of the LSAMO is unique: it does not represent the interests of the providers of NHS maternity services and therefore should be independent in the function of the role, although informed by the regulatory guidance issued by the NMC.
The are four LSAs within the West of Scotland and the NHS Board is designated as the LSA. These are NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire.
The Midwives Rules and Standards (2004) govern the framework in which Midwives and Supervisors of Midwives meet the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001. Articles 42 and 43 of this Order describe the NMC rules for the regulation of Midwifery, describing the role of supervision and the LSAMO.
Other responsibilities under the LSA function include:
- providing a framework of support for supervision and midwifery practice
- receiving and processing annual notification of intention to practice for each practising midwife
- ensuring midwives meet the statutory requirements for practise
- ensuring that there is access to continuing education and training for supervisors of midwives
- investigating allegations of misconduct
- determination of, and where necessary appropriate suspension of, a midwife from practice in accordance with the NMC rules and standards
- selection and de-selection of supervisors
- These responsibilities are further clarified within the NMC Midwives Rules and Standards (2004).
If you have any concerns/complaints regarding the supervision of midwifery in the West Of Scotland, please write to the LSAMO at the above address. If your concern/complaint is in regard to the LSA function or the LSAMO please write to Wai Yin Hatton, Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Boswell House, 10 Arthur Street, Ayr, KA7 1QJ.
