The RCM defines advanced practice in midwifery as a level of practice underpinned by experience and expertise and enhanced by masters level education. It demonstrates influence and impact on midwifery practice across clinical practice, education, research, and leadership. It is an opportunity for professional development and can support the midwife to accelerate into future career pathways.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council defines advanced practice in midwifery as “A registered midwife working at an advanced level is an expert professional with additional post-graduate education and experience. They use their evidence informed knowledge, skills, and capability to influence, shape, deliver and lead safe and effective care, while managing risk, uncertainty and complexity”
About the role
What does an Advanced Clinical Practitioner midwife do?
Midwives are autonomous and accountable as the lead professional at the point of qualification, but they are not advanced practitioners. AP should build on the NMC Standards of Proficiency and form part of the career journey and potential journey to other roles
Advanced practice is about a level of expertise (NMC 2025; RCM2024), however there are midwives working clinically that hold advanced practice titled roles that work in a particular element of care, such as maternal or fetal medicine or triage. These posts complement others in roles such as midwives working in specialty, consultant midwives, lead midwives for education and professors.
Senior or expert roles and an advanced level of practice should not be seen as mutually exclusive; midwives in these roles may or may not also be educated to advanced practice across four pillars of practice. Advanced practice pathways may support progression to other strategic or senior roles promoting succession planning and may be recognised working in clinical and non-clinical settings. Implementation may be different in each of the four UK countries depending on service need.
Advanced practice encourages experienced midwives to broaden their knowledge across the pillars of practice rather than a hierarchy of medical care. Advanced practice is not a replacement role for medical staff nor does it permit the undertaking of clinical skills that are not in the scope of midwifery practice
How do I become an Advanced Clinical Practitioner?
Midwives working at an advanced practice level or holding advanced practice titled roles would be expected to be an experienced midwifery with addition postgraduate education at a Masters level.
Are there Networks to support this role?
There are some regional AP in midwifery network and national speciality groups, such as fetal medicine, maternal medicine and triage.
Country Information
Scotland
NHS Education for Scotland (NES), 2023. Multiprofessional Advanced Practice Toolkit. Edinburgh: NES (NHS Education for Scotland)
Wales
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), 2023. Professional Framework for Enhanced, Advanced and Consultant Clinical Practice in Wales. Cardiff: HEIW
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council et al (NIPEC), 2018. Advanced Nursing Practice Framework. Belfast: NIPEC
England
Health Education England, 2022. Advanced Clinical Practice in Midwifery Capabilities Framework. London: HEE.
Where could this lead to?
Advanced practice encourages experienced midwives to broaden their knowledge across the pillars of practice rather than a hierarchy of medical care. Midwifery careers do not need to be a linear journey of moving up a ladder; building a career portfolio can support personal advancement and widen career opportunities in practice, education, research and practice in a variety of settings. Furthermore, it is an opportunity to enhance care provision and skill mix and ultimately the future of the profession
Resources
Health Education England (HEE), 2018. Multiprofessional framework for advanced clinical practice. London: HEE
Health Education England, 2022. Advanced Clinical Practice in Midwifery Capabilities Framework. London: HEE.
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), 2023. Professional Framework for Enhanced, Advanced and Consultant Clinical Practice in Wales. Cardiff: HEIW
Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council et al (NIPEC), 2018. Advanced Nursing Practice Framework. Belfast: NIPEC
NHS Education for Scotland (NES), 2023. Multiprofessional Advanced Practice Toolkit. Edinburgh: NES (NHS Education for Scotland)
Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2024. Advanced Practice Review. London: NMC
Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2025. Principles for Advanced Practice. London: NMC.
Palmer W, Julian S and Vaughan L, 2023. Independent report on the regulation of advanced practice in nursing and midwifery. London: Nuffield Trust.
Royal College of Midwives, 2024. Advanced Practice in Midwifery Position Statement. London: RCM.
Thinks Insight & Strategy, 2024. The Nursing and Midwifery Council Thematic Analysis Report on Advanced Practice Engagement. London: Thinks Insight & Strategy.
University of East Anglia, 2023. Advanced Clinical Practice in Midwifery – a deep dive analysis. London: HEE