The Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

Exemption for midwives

11.—(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 4(1)(b) and 5(1) of the Act, a registered midwife who has, in accordance with the provisions of rules made under section 14(1)(b) of the Act of 1997, notified to the local supervising authority her intention to practise may, subject to the provisions of this regulation—

(a) so far as necessary to her professional practice, have in her possession;

(b) so far as necessary as aforesaid, administer; and

(c) surrender to the appropriate medical officer such stocks in her possession as are no longer required by her of,

any controlled drug which she may, under and in accordance with the provisions of the Medicines Act 1968 and of any instrument which is in force thereunder, lawfully administer.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) authorises a midwife to have in her possession any drug which has been obtained otherwise than on a midwife’s supply order signed by the appropriate medical officer.

(3) In this regulation—

“the Act of 1997” means the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1997(1);

“appropriate medical officer” means—

(a)

a medical officer authorised by the Chief Administrative Medical Officer of the Health and Social Services Board area in which the drug was, or is to be, obtained; or

(b)

for the purposes of paragraph (2), a person appointed under and in accordance with section 15 of the Act of 1997 by that authority to exercise supervision over registered midwives within their area, who is for the time being authorised as aforesaid;

“midwife’s supply order” means an order in writing specifying the name and occupation of the midwife obtaining the drug, the purpose for which it is required and the total quantity to be obtained.

(1)

1997 c. 24