Professional qualifications recognition of midwives and specialist doctors - training requirements update

The German Association of Midwives (DHV) supports the European Commission’s efforts to revise and update the minimum standards for midwifery training under Directive 2005/36/EC. In our assessment, this proposal does not yet fully reflect the competences that midwives need to have to meet the health needs of women, newborns and families across Europe.

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I, Emine Babac, adviser in the field of education at the German Association of Midwives, welcome the European Commission’s plan to fundamentally renew the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. In my view, the current draft is too short when it comes to mapping the skills that midwives need today to meet the multifaceted health concerns of women, newborns and families across Europe.

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Associate Professors in Midwifery at the University of Limerick, Ireland welcome the European Commissions initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. While the Directive establishes minimum standards for midwifery education and training across the European Union and European Economic Area it is important that these standards reflect contemporary practice and…

Maintaining the **direct-entry midwifery education model** in Poland is essential to ensuring high-quality, safe, and evidence-based care for women, newborns, and their families. Direct-entry education enables midwives to acquire the comprehensive knowledge, clinical competencies, and professional autonomy required to practise independently, while remaining fully aligned with the requirements of the relevant…

In the opinion of the DGHWi, the draft amendment to the Directive falls short of the actual objective of modernisation. While some training content is being updated, the midwife profession is not being mapped in line with scientific progress.

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As representatives of young and future midwives in Germany, we welcome the European Commission’s initiative to update Directive 2005/36/EC and the associated possibility of adapting midwifery studies to current international standards. The ICM Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice outlines the competency framework in detail and based on evidence.

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The European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA) welcomes the European Commissions revision of the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. Representing nursing and midwifery professions across the WHO European Region, including many EU Member States, EFNNMA recognises the Directives important role in supporting professional mobility and a competent healthcare…

The Fundacja na rzecz Kobiet i Planowania Rodziny (FEDERA) welcomes the European Commissions initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. As an organisation working on sexual and reproductive health and rights, reproductive justice and gender equality in Poland, we recognise the essential role that midwives play in improving health outcomes for women, newborns…

In the introductory part of Article 40, paragraph 3, the text currently still reads: 3. Training as a midwife shall provide an assurance that the professional in question has acquired the following knowledge and skills: Previous input from Norway, other countries and organizations recommended the following revised wording: Training as a midwife shall provide an assurance that the professional in question has…

Recognition of Midwives' Competencies in Neonatal Critical Care, Perinatal Palliative Care and Bereavement Care The proposed revision of the Midwifery Directive is an important step towards modernizing European midwifery education by incorporating evidence-based practice, communication, perinatal mental health, critical care, interprofessional collaboration and neonatology.

Contemporary midwifery education should explicitly incorporate competencies in quality improvement, patient safety, clinical governance, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration. Since the adoption of Directive 2005/36/EC, healthcare systems have undergone profound transformation, with these domains now recognised internationally as essential components of professional competence for all health professionals.

As head of the bachelor’s degree in midwifery at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, I welcome the ongoing efforts to revise and update Directive 2005/36/EC and thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback. Swiss midwives are trained and qualified to provide comprehensive sexual, reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health care.

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The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) welcomes the European Commissions proposal to revise and update the minimum training requirements for selected medical specialties listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC. Medical specialist training must keep pace with the growing complexity of clinical practice, scientific developments, technological innovation, digitalisation, and evolving patient needs.

The proposed training of midwives in the amendment of the European Directive is not in line with reality and does not fully reflect the breadth of competences currently exercised by midwives and the evolution of the profession in recent decades.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

The current revision of the EU rules is a welcome impulse, but in its current form it is not yet sufficient to cater for the midwifery profession. While individual topics for the future are addressed, the overall draft remains too much focused on teaching materials, formal catalogues and job descriptions.

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Lithuania welcomes the revision of the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. Midwifery education in Lithuania is provided at higher education institutions and follows EU requirements; however, developments in healthcare, scientific evidence, digital technologies and women's health needs require the Directive to be modernised.

The Department of Midwifery of the International Hellenic University welcomes the proposed revision of Directive 2005/36/EC and strongly supports the modernisation of the minimum training requirements for midwives across Europe.

The European Midwives Association (EMA) welcomes the proposed update. The inclusion of evidence-based practice, public health, reproductive health, perinatal mental health, digital technologies, diagnostic imaging, critical care and emergency situations, and interprofessional collaboration reflects important scientific and technical progress and represents a significant step towards modernising midwifery education…

The Department of Midwifery Science of the University of Tübingen (Germany) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC, which provides an opportunity to adapt the midwifery profession to the requirements of modern health systems and an academised profession.

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Response from the midwifery education sector in Finland: We welcome the European Commission's initiative to update the minimum requirements for midwifery education in Directive 2005/36/EC. Our overall assessment is that we believe the proposed amendments reflect the breadth of the competences required of midwives in Europe.

Hochschule Furtwangen University (HFU) welcomes the revision of the minimum training requirements for the midwifery profession under Directive 2005/36/EC. Given the ongoing development of midwifery practice, evolving international standards, and the demands placed on health systems, this update is necessary and timely. HFU's B.Sc.

The French Order of Midwives calls for a rigorous revision of the minimum training requirements of the profession to ensure safety and quality of care. The current Commission proposal does not address these challenges.

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Response from the Danish Association of Midwives The Danish Association of Midwives welcomes the European Commissions initiative to modernise the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. The proposed amendments represent a long-needed update of requirements largely unchanged for over four decades.

As a midwifery researcher in Germany, I strongly welcome the European Commission's initiative to update Directive 2005/36/EC. This Directive has been extremely supportive to manage the transfer into tertiary midwifery education, in particular in Germany. It strengthened autonomous midwifery education. Common minimal standards are an established tool across the EU to improve education.

The Center for Reproductive Rights welcomes the European Commissions initiative to update the minimum harmonised training requirements for the profession of midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. The Center works to strengthen legal frameworks to guarantee the highest standards of sexual and reproductive health for all.

The VÖWG welcomes the initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives and specialist doctors. We would like to take this opportunity to express our support for raising the min-imum training requirements for both professions.

The Croatian Chamber of Midwives welcomes the European Commissions initiative to update Directive 2005/36/EC. The inclusion of areas such as public health, perinatal mental health, evidence-based practice and digital technologies represents an important step towards recognising developments since the Directive was last substantially updated.

**Feedback on the Draft Delegated Directive amending Directive 2005/36/EC regarding the minimum training requirements for the profession of midwife** I strongly welcome the European Commission's initiative to update the minimum training requirements for the profession of midwife.

On behalf of the Academic Branch of the Polish Midwives Association, we strongly support the proposed revision of the minimum training requirements for midwives. We welcome the European Commissions initiative to modernise midwifery education in line with current scientific evidence, healthcare developments and societal needs.

ESE-UM considers the proposed revision of Directive 2005/36/EC to be a positive step forward. Nevertheless, it remains insufficient in addressing current professional realities. While the proposal introduces relevant advancements, it does not adequately reflect the contemporary scope of midwifery practice, particularly in the areas of sexual, reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and adolescent health.

The Icelandic Midwifery Association appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the European Commissions review of the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. Our association believes that the proposed revisions of Directive 2005/36/EC does not fully reflect the competencies and professional autonomy that midwives are educated for and is already exercised by midwives in many European…

Romanian Midwives Association/Asociația Moașelor din România (AMșR) welcomes the European Commission's initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. As one of Romania's national midwifery associations, representing midwives and advocating for women's health and reproductive rights, we believe this revision has significant implications not only for the midwifery…

On behalf of the Nordic Federation of Midwives (NJF), I welcome the European Commissions initiative to revise the minimum training requirements for midwifery education under Directive 2005/36/EC. This as an important opportunity to modernize the directive and strengthen its relevance in a changing health care landscape for women, youth, transgender people and families.

As a faculty member of the Department of Midwifery at the University of West Attica and as co-founder and President of the Board of Directors of the non-profit organisation Fainareti, whose mission is to promote the health and well-being of women, children and partners during the perinatal period and the first years of life, I strongly support the revision of the minimum training requirements for midwives under…

Dear Sir or Madam, The Austrian Midwives' Committee welcomes the opportunity to provide its comments on this matter. Please find our position statement attached. We appreciate your consideration of our submission and remain at your disposal should you require any further information. Yours sincerely, [name removed] of the Austrian Midwives Association

We, representing the Aguas Claras asociation based in Spain, welcome the European Commissions initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC, yet we firmly believe the proposed changes fail to reflect the comprehensive scope of competencies required to meet the modern health needs of women and families.

MUNet Spain welcomes the European Commissions initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. As an organisation working to defend the midwifery profession, promote the implementation of midwife-led birth centres, and guarantee evidence-based, respectful care for women and newborns within the Spanish healthcare system, we recognise the essential role that midwives play…

The Section of Midwifery in Dundalk Institute of Technology welcomes the European Commission's timely initiative to revise the minimum training requirements for midwifery education under Directive 2005/36/EC. We welcome the proposed additions to the Directive, particularly the inclusion of evidence-based midwifery practice, perinatal mental health, interprofessional collaboration, and eHealth and digital…

The Belgian Midwives Association, in support of the Flemish and Belgian Francophone Associations, welcomes the European Commissions initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC.

Response from the Norwegian Midwives Association The Norwegian Midwives Association welcomes the European Commissions initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. General assessment We consider that the proposed amendments do not yet fully reflect the breadth of midwifery competencies required across Europe.

The Royal Netherlands Organisation of Midwives (KNOV) welcomes the revision of EU Directive 2005/36/EC minimum training requirements for Midwives. We are convinced that this revision will make it possible to understand where the midwifery profession currently stands when it comes to promoting physiology, midwifery science, and cooperation with other disciplines.

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Response from Lund university (Maria Ekelin and Li Thies-Lagergren both senior lecturers at the midwifery program) Lund University welcomes the European Commission's initiative to revise the minimum training requirements for midwifery education under Directive 2005/36/EC.

Response to the European Commission Consultation on the Draft Delegated Commission Directive Amending the Minimum Training Requirements for Midwives The Norwegian Nurses Organisation (NNO) welcomes the European Commissions review of the minimum training requirements for midwives under the Professional Qualifications Directive.

The Netzwerk der Geburtshäuser e.V. welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. We believe that the proposed changes do indeed make substantial extensions and necessary adjustments to the midwifery profession on the basis of the significant development of the midwifery profession.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

As a Belgian association committed to respectful perinatal care, we fully support the need for an ambitious revision of the Directive on the training of midwives. We believe that this revision should be firmly based on the latest international standards, in particular the ICM Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice and the WHO recommendations on midwifery models of care.

The Hellenic Midwives Association welcomes the revision of Directive 2005/36/EC and supports its modernisation to better address current demographic, educational and healthcare challenges. Greece's declining birth rate, ageing population and high caesarean section rates limit students' clinical exposure, highlighting the need to formally recognise accredited clinical simulation within midwifery education.

The Department of Midwifery of the University of Western Macedonia, Greece, welcomes the proposed revision of Directive 2005/36/EC, recognising that it better reflects the evolving role of midwives through the inclusion of perinatal mental health, evidence-based practice, and digital technologies. However, we believe that several essential competencies should be further strengthened.

The Midwives Committee of the Cyprus Nurses and Midwives Association welcomes and supports the proposed revision of the EU minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. The proposed revisions represent an important opportunity to modernise midwifery education and ensure that future midwives are adequately prepared to respond to the evolving health needs of women, newborns, families and…

The Association Luxembourgeoise des Sages-Femmes (ALSF) welcomes the update of Directive 2005/36/EC. ALSF is the sole professional organisation representing midwives in Luxembourg and works closely with national authorities, healthcare institutions, educational providers and other stakeholders involved in maternal and newborn health.

The Westerwald Midwifery Centre welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. To meet today’s ever-increasing demands on midwives’ both medical and psychosocial skills in the ever-increasing and complex work context between women’s health, family planning, obstetrics, maternity care, maternity care and early help in the early years…

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Comments of the Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia (NMAS) on the Revision of the Minimum Training Requirements for Midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC: NMAS welcomes the revision of the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC.

The Czech Union of Midwives (UNIPA) welcomes the European Commissions initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. The proposed revision represents an important step towards reflecting the scientific, technological and professional developments that have shaped contemporary midwifery practice.

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the European Commission's proposal to update the minimum training requirements and duration of specialist training for specialist doctors and midwives under the Professional Qualifications Directive. These amendments represent an important step towards facilitating the automatic recognition of professional qualifications across the European Union.

The Midwifery Department, University of West Attica, believes the proposed revisions of Directive 2005/36/EC do not yet fully reflect several challenges currently affecting midwifery education and practice in Greece, particularly those arising from workforce pressures and evolving health needs across the life course. Greece is experiencing a significant decline in birth rates alongside an ageing population.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed training programme for midwives. These comments are submitted from the perspective of Finnish midwifery education. Finnish midwives are educated to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care across the life course, encompassing sexual and reproductive health, gynaecology, maternity care and health promotion.

The Swedish Association of Midwives (Svenska Barnmorskeförbundet) welcomes the European Commissions initiative to revise the minimum training requirements for midwifery education. The proposed additions, including a stronger focus on evidence-based practice, reproductive and mental health, public health, interprofessional collaboration, and digital competence, are important steps toward harmonizing the midwifery…

The midwifery provisions in the Directive have seen virtually no substantive revision since 1980 and no longer reflect contemporary midwifery practice, the services that scientific evidence shows midwives are best placed to provide, or internationally recognised standards for high-quality sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health (SRMNAH) care.

As a Professor of Midwifery, I endorse the European Commissions Draft Delegated Directive updating midwifery training requirements, which have remained unchanged since 1980. This modernization balances harmonized academic standards with scientific progress, reinforcing the midwifes role as an autonomous, evidence-based practitioner.

The French trade union ONSSF (National Union of Midwives) wishes to support the opinions shared by the ICM and the EMA on the basic qualifications of midwives based on WHO recommendations. Indeed, in the world, midwives are no longer seen as specialists in pregnancy and childbirth, but as specialists in women’s reproductive health. The French model is a perfect example of this paradigm.

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Comment by the Cyprus Nurses and Midwives Association The Cyprus Nurses and Midwives Association welcomes and supports the proposed revision of the EU minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC.

The European Unions initiative to revise the minimum training requirements for midwives (directive 2005/36) is highly welcomed. However, Karolinska Institutet in Sweden encourage a more ambitious revision, fully reflecting the scope, autonomy, and responsibilities of midwives in modern healthcare systems, would be of significant value.

The Midwifery Department, University of West Attica, believes the proposed revisions of Directive 2005/36/EC do not yet fully reflect several challenges currently affecting midwifery education and practice in Greece, particularly those arising from workforce pressures and evolving health needs across the life course. Greece is experiencing a significant decline in birth rates alongside an ageing population.

The Portuguese Association of Nurse-Midwives (APEO) welcomes the European Commissions initiative to update Directive 2005/36/EC. Portugal has recently taken important steps to strengthen midwives roles, including a national project supporting midwife-led antenatal care for low-risk pregnancies in primary healthcare. This reflects recognition that midwives can improve access, continuity and quality of care.

Institute for Health and Care Sciences welcome the opportunity to comment on the European Commissions revision of minimum training requirements for midwives (Directive 2005/36/EC). The directive should aim for midwifery requirements better aligned with the World Health Organization recommendations, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice and the ICM Global…

The Finnish Midwives’ Association considers that the proposed amendments to Directive 2005/36/EC do not fully reflect the broad competence of Finnish midwives. Moreover, the proposed changes are not in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on maternal and newborn health, the International Midwifery Federation (ICM) competence requirements for midwifery and the ICM’s global standards for…

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The Association of Midwives of the Basque Country supports the European Commission’s initiative to update Directive 2005/36/EC. However, we consider that the proposal presented does not yet adequately capture all the competences currently developed by midwives, nor does it reflect the significant evolution of the profession in recent decades.

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The Federation of Associations of Midwives of Spain (FAME) with CIF G63511901 welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to update Directive 2005/36/EC. However, we consider that the proposal still does not fully reflect the breadth of competences currently exercised by midwives and the evolution of the profession in recent decades.

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I write from where personal experience, civil society advocacy, policy work and academic study meet. I am a mother of three, Executive Director of the Association for Freestanding Birth Centres and Alongside Midwifery Units (APODAC), Director of the Midwifery Care Alliance (APA), a member of the Working Group on Obstetrics at the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, EU Regional Coordinator for the…

RETHOS (the national guidelines for health and socialcare education) is a national governance system in Norway for higher education in health and social care. RETHOS Programme Group for Midwifery Education welcomes the European Unions initiative to revise and update the minimum training requirements for midwives.

On behalf of the Midwifery Chair at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, we welcome the revision of the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC as an important opportunity to strengthen European midwifery education and align it with contemporary evidence, professional standards and the needs of women, newborns and families.

The UPSFB welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. However, we consider that the current proposals do not fully reflect the evolution of the profession and the skills needed today for a modern, autonomous, evidence-based practice adapted to the needs of European health systems.

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Please find attached the contributions and suggestions from the Order of Nurses regarding the 'Midwives and Specialist Doctors Qualifications Recognition Training Requirements Update' , specifically those related to midwives. We are sure they will receive your best attention.

The INMO welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the revised draft of the European Directive on Professional Qualifications: Midwife (Directive 2005/36/EC). We believe the revision of the Directive presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise the framework governing midwifery education and professional mobility across Europe.

The Polish Midwives Association supports the European Commissions initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives set out in Directive 2005/36/EC. We appreciate the inclusion in the draft of areas such as evidence-based practice, perinatal mental health, sexual and reproductive health, preconception care, interprofessional collaboration, emergency situations, diagnostics, including diagnostic…

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) welcomes the European Commissions initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. This represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise midwifery education across Europe and align it with contemporary evidence and international standards.

The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) welcomes the European Commissions initiative to update Directive 2005/36/EC. We recognise several positive additions, but these remain limited and do not fully reflect the contemporary role of midwives and the scientific advances in midwifery education and practice.

From the perspective of Romania and the Association of Independent Midwives (AMI), the proposed revision of Directive 2005/36/EC is an important opportunity to strengthen the midwifery profession across Europe. However, it does not fully address one of Romania's greatest challenges: ensuring the recognition, effective implementation and sustainability of the midwifery workforce.

Christian Council International welcomes this opportunity to provide feedback on the Draft Commission Delegated Directive amending Directive 2005/36/EC as regards minimum training requirements for the professions of midwife and specialist doctors.

The International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network (IPPF EN) welcomes the European Commissions initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC, but regrets the limited scope of the changes proposed so far.

Dear Sirs and Madams As Head of the Midwifery Division at Bern University of Applied Sciences, I welcome the European Commissions efforts to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. The inclusion of evidence-based practice, public health, digital technologies, perinatal mental health, and interprofessional collaboration represents important progress.

The initiative will respond to the demands of the business community by providing businesses, especially innovative ones, with a single set of rules to operate and invest more easily in the single market. In a nutshell, it will define a new legal framework that will regulate a wide range of key issues for businesses taking into account online procedures and digital tools under EU company law.

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The Estonian Midwife Association feedback. The Estonian Midwives Association supports the European Commission's initiative to update the minimum training requirements for the midwifery profession under Directive 2005/36/EC.

Fertility Europe welcomes the European Commission's initiative to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. As the pan-European network of patient organisations in the field of infertility and medically assisted reproduction, Fertility Europe represents the experiences and needs of people across Europe who face challenges in building a family.

Dear all I agree on the amendments on the council directive.2005/36/EC. It should also be amended that gynaecologist should have a standardised knowledge of reproductive health, contraceptive methods, sexuality and sexually transmitted infections The European society of contraception ( I am the president of) has this aim in its statute We are also performing training and exams(diploma and fellowship) with the…

As head of the bachelor’s course of midwifery at the Berner Fachhochschule Health in Bern, Switzerland, I very much welcome the European Union’s initiative to revise and update the minimum training requirements for midwives (Directive 2005/36/EC).

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The Cyprus Univeristy of Technology and Cyprus Nurses and Midwives Association supports the call for a stronger and more comprehensive framework for midwifery education in Europe. Midwives play a vital role across the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health care, and education standards must reflect the competencies required to meet the evolving needs of women, families, and communities.

I have been working as a midwife for 35 years. During this time, I have seen the ever-increasing demands on our profession and the importance of reflecting the role of midwives in a realistic and forward-looking way. It is clear to me that: Midwives are the first point of contact for women during normal pregnancy, childbirth and bedtime.

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I work as a midwife and teacher for over 30 years. Since 2020, I have been actively involved in the implementation of the academisation process in Germany. As a professor of midwifery, I have a particular interest in the further development of the profession. Women and families need to be confident that midwives are trained to a high standard and provide high quality and safe care.

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The French National College of Midwives (CNSF) considers that the proposed amendments to Directive 2005/36/EC do not yet fully reflect the extent of the competences that midwives already exercise in practice in France, nor the changing role of the profession in meeting the health needs of women, newborns and families across Europe.

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In the opinion of the Federal Chamber of Physicians, there can be no objection to the European Commission’s proposal to increase the minimum training periods for the nine specialist titles in question. If the specialist titles in question exist in Germany, the periods of further training are five and six years respectively.

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The UEMS welcomes the proposed update of the minimum training durations for medical specialties under the Professional Qualifications Directive. However, we would like to highlight the following points: For some specialties, the proposed increase remains insufficient and does not fully reflect current training needs, such as anaesthetics where the specialty is already at least 5 years of training in 23 member…

The National Federation of Italian Midwives (FNOPO), as a Regulatory Body representing quite 22.000 midwives and 55 Councils, subsidiary of the Italian State (definition by Law 3/2018), under the supervision of Health Ministry, aligns with the contents of Essential Competencies for Midwifery practice (ICM, 2024) and of WHO transitioning to Midwifery models of care (WHO, 2024).

The High School of Health in Geneva, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences, welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to update the minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. The proposed additions represent an important step forward and take into account several developments in current healthcare.

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As President of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychosomatische Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe (DGPFG), I am sending you a statement from my specialist company on the preliminary draft of the 2019 Regulation on the Study and Examination of Midwives in Germany. As far as can be seen, our recommendations have been implemented only marginally.

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Austrian Input to the European Update of the Professional Qualifications Directive for Midwives: From the perspective of the Committee of Austrian Programme Directors of FH Bachelor Midwifery, the present revision constitutes a highly commendable and academically robust advancement.

The Rhineland-Palatinate Association of Midwives warmly welcomes the revision of the European training requirements for midwives under the Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications. The further development of the Directive offers an opportunity to adequately reflect the current scientific, social and health requirements of the midwife profession and to ensure a high level of care for women…

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Critical opinion on the European Commission’s draft 1. More requirements but no better framework conditions.The draft significantly expands the competences of midwives: * Evidence-based practice * research competence * digitalisation * mental health * neonatology * emergency management * interprofessional cooperation *Remuneration * Staff key * Liability costs * Working conditions * Financing of non-clinical…

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The move to raise midwifery training to university level was fundamentally right and long overdue. Academic education strengthens the profession, fosters evidence-based thinking and elevates the social value of midwifery work to a level that has long been earned. I am grateful for this. However, I have to say honestly: Implementation is partly weak.

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The Swiss Midwives Federation (SHV) welcomes the European Unions initiative to revise and update the minimum training requirements for midwives (Directive 2005/36/EC). The proposed additionsparticularly in evidence-based practice, public health, digital technologies, perinatal mental health, and interprofessional collaborationrepresent important progress for a modern healthcare system.

I recommend incorporating into the training the comprehensive monitoring of the mother and her breastfed infant throughout the first 1,000 days of life. It is crucial to preserve the integrity of the maternal-infant dyad while consistently maintaining a family-centered approach to care.

Swedish Input to the European Commission Update of the Professional Qualifications Directive for Midwives The Swedish Association of Health Professionals (Vårdförbundet) welcomes the opportunity to provide comments on the revised draft of the Professional Qualifications Directive concerning midwives.