Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979

1979 CHAPTER 36

An Act to establish a Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, and National Boards for the four parts of the United Kingdom; to make new provision with respect to the education, training, regulation and discipline of nurses, midwives and health visitors and the maintenance of a single professional register; to amend an Act relating to the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work; and for purposes connected with those matters.

[4th April 1979] F1

Textual Amendments

F1 Act repealed (except ss. 23(4), 24, Sch. 7) (19.6.1997) by 1997 c. 24, ss. 23(3), 24(2), Sch. 6

Commencement Information

I1 Act partly in force at Royal Assent see s. 24(2); Act wholly in force 1 July 1983

The Central Council U.K.

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The National Boards and their relationship to the Central Council U.K.

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F13 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F14 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F15 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Registration U.K.

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[F24 11A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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[F34 12A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Miscellaneous provisions about midwifery U.K.

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[F46 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Financial provisions U.K.

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Miscellaneous and general U.K.

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[F58 22A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F66 23 Interpretation and supplementary. U.K.

F66 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F66 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F66 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) The enactments specified in Schedule 7 are amended as there specified

F66 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F66 Act repealed (except ss. 23(4), 24, Sch. 7) (19.6.1997) by 1997 c. 24, ss. 23(3), 24(2), Sch. 7

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 The text of s. 23(4)(5), Sch. 1 Pt.II para. 5, Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 5, Sch. 7, Sch. 8 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1. 2. 1991.

24 Citation, etc. U.K.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979.

(2) This Act, except section 21(2) and this section (which shall come into force on the passing of this Act), shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint; and different days may be appointed for different provisions of this Act.

(3) This Act extends to Northern Ireland.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 24(2): power of appointment conferred by section 24(2) fully exercised: S.I. 1980/893; 1982/963, 1565; 1983/668

SCHEDULES

[F67 Schedule 1 U.K. Constitution etc. of Central Council

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Section 1.

SCHEDULE 1 U.K. Constitution etc. of Central Council

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Section 5.

SCHEDULE 2 U.K. Constitution etc. of National Boards

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SCHEDULE 3 U.K. Proceedings before Council and committees

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F76 SCHEDULE 4 N.I.

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Section 21.

SCHEDULE 5 U.K. Transitional provisions, etc.

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Section 23(3).

SCHEDULE 6 U.K. Adaptations for Northern Ireland and its National Board

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Section 23(4)

SCHEDULE 7 U.K. Amendments of Enactments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 The text of s. 23(4)(5), Sch. 1 Pt.II para. 5, Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 5, Sch. 7, Sch. 8 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1. 2. 1991.

Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 (c. 73) U.K.

[F92 1 U.K. In section 1(3)(d) of the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938, for “ certified” substitute “ registered” . . . F93 ]

Textual Amendments

F92 Sch. 7 paras. 1-6 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

F93 Words repealed by Health Services Act 1980 (c. 53, SIF 113:2), s. 25(4), Sch. 7

2 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F94

Textual Amendments

F94 Sch. 7 paras. 2, 3(b) 24, 25 repealed by Health Services Act 1980 (c.53, SIF 113:2), s. 25(4), Sch. 7; and Sch. 7 para. 2 expressed to be repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

[F95 3 U.K. In section 10—

(a) omit the definitions of “ qualified nurse” and “ certified midwife” ;

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F96 ]

Textual Amendments

F95 Sch. 7 paras. 1-6 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

F96 Sch. 7 paras. 2, 3(b) 24, 25 repealed by Health Services Act 1980 (c.53, SIF 113:2), s. 25(4), Sch. 7

Nurses (Scotland) Act 1951 (c.55) U.K.

[F97 4 U.K. In section 27 of the Nurses (Scotland) Act 1951—

(a) in subsection (1), for paragraphs (a) to (c) substitute—

“(a) registered nurses and registered midwives; and”and make paragraph (d) into paragraph (b);

(b) in subsection (3) for “ registered nurse” substitute “ registered and qualified nurse”.]

Textual Amendments

F97 Sch. 7 paras. 1-6 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

[F98 5 U.K. In section 29 for “ registered nurse” substitute “ registered and qualified nurse”.]

Textual Amendments

F98 Sch. 7 paras. 1-6 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

[F99 6 U.K. In section 32, omit the definition of “ certified midwife”.]

Textual Amendments

F99 Sch. 7 paras. 1-6 repealed (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 80(1), Sch. 4; S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 (c. 20) U.K.

[F100 6A U.K. In section 33—

(a) in section (5) omit the words from the beginning to “this section and” and for the word “him” substitute “ the Secretary of State ”; and

(b) in subsection (6) omit the words from the beginning to “is exercised and”.]

Textual Amendments

F100 Sch. 7 para. 6A inserted (E.W.S.) by Health Services Act 1980 (c. 53, SIF 113:2), s. 25(3), Sch. 6 para. 11(1)

7 U.K. In section 11(1) and (1A) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, for “ certified midwife” substitute “ registered midwife ”.

Nurses Agencies Act 1957 (c.16) U.K.

[F101 8 U.K. In section 1 of the Nurses Agencies Act 1957—

(a) in subsection (1), for paragraphs (a) to (c) substitute—

“(a) registered nurses and registered midwives; and”and make paragraph (d) into paragraph (b);

(b) in subsection (3), for “ registered nurse” substitute “ registered and qualified nurse”.]

Textual Amendments

F101 Sch. 7 paras. 8-10 repealed (1.1.2003 for E. and otherwiseprosp.) by 2000 c. 14, ss. 117(2), 122, Sch. 6; S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(4) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4 and S.I. 2002/1493, art. 4 and as amended (31.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1790, art. 3); as amended (29.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/2001, art. 4

[F102 9 U.K. In section 3(2), for “ registered nurse” substitute “ registered and qualified nurse”.]

Textual Amendments

F102 Sch. 7 paras. 8-10 repealed (1.1.2003 for E. and otherwiseprosp.) by 2000 c. 14, ss. 117(2), 122, Sch. 6; S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(4) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4 and S.I. 2002/1493, art. 4 and as amended (31.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1790, art. 3); as amended (29.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/2001, arts. 2(3), 3

[F103 10 U.K. In section 8, omit the definitions of “ certified midwife” “ enrolled nurse” and “ registered nurse” , and the word “ and” immediately preceding the latter.]

Textual Amendments

F103 Sch. 7 paras. 8-10 repealed (1.1.2003 for E. and otherwiseprosp.) by 2000 c. 14, ss. 117(2), 122, Sch. 6; S.I. 2001/4150, art. 3(4) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4 and S.I. 2002/1493, art. 4 and as amended (31.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1790, art. 3); as amended (29.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/2001, arts. 2(3), 3

Health Visiting and Social Work (Training) Act 1962 (c. 33) U.K.

[F104 11 U.K. In paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 to the Health Visiting and Social Work (Training) Act 1962, for “ General Nursing Council for England and Wales” substitute “ United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting ”.]

Textual Amendments

F104 Sch. 7 para. 11 repealed (E.W.S.) by Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 (c. 41, SIF 113:3), s. 30, Sch. 10 Pt. I

Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965 (c.49) U.K.

12 U.K. In section 21(2) and (3) of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965, for “ certified midwife” substitute “ registered midwife ”.

13 U.K. Omit section 21(6)

Medicines Act 1968 (c. 67) U.K.

14 U.K. In section 11 of the Medicines Act 1968—

(a) in subsection (1) for “ a registered nurse or as a certified midwife” substitute “ a registered and qualified nurse or a registered midwife ” ;

(b) omit subsection (2).

Commissioner for Complaints Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 (c. 25 N.I.) U.K.

F105 15 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F105 Sch. 7 para. 15 repealed (16.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1297, art. 23(2), Sch. 5

Nursing Homes and Nursing Agencies Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 (c.32 N.I.) U.K.

F106 16 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F106 Sch. 7 paras. 16-18 repealed (1. 4. 1993) by S.I. 1992/3204 (N.I. 20), art. 38, Sch. 2; S.R. 1993/75, art.2

F107 17 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F107 Sch. 7 paras. 16-18 repealed (1. 4. 1993) by S.I. 1992/3204 (N.I. 20), art. 38, Sch.2; S.R. 1993/75, art.2

F108 18 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F108 Sch. 7 paras. 16-18 repealed (1. 4. 1993) by S.I. 1992/3204 (N.I. 20), art. 38, Sch.2; S.R. 1993/75, art.2

F109 19 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F109 Sch. 7 paras. 19-22 repealed (N.I.) (1.4.2005) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/431), art. 1(3), Sch. 5; S.R. 2005/44, art. 3, Sch. 1 (with arts. 4-13)

F109 20 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F109 Sch. 7 paras. 19-22 repealed (N.I.) (1.4.2005) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/431), art. 1(3), Sch. 5; S.R. 2005/44, art. 3, Sch. 1 (with arts. 4-13)

F109 21 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F109 Sch. 7 paras. 19-22 repealed (N.I.) (1.4.2005) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/431), art. 1(3), Sch. 5; S.R. 2005/44, art. 3, Sch. 1 (with arts. 4-13)

F109 22 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F109 Sch. 7 paras. 19-22 repealed (N.I.) (1.4.2005) by The Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/431), art. 1(3), Sch. 5; S.R. 2005/44, art. 3, Sch. 1 (with arts. 4-13)

[F110 23 U.K. In section 4(e) of the Nursing Homes Act 1975 for “ certified” substitute “ registered ” and for “ pupil midwife” substitute “ student midwife ” ; and at the end of section 4 insert—

“(2) In relation to any nursing home, a person is to be treated as a qualified nurse if he possesses such qualifications as the Secretary of State considers to be requisite in the provision of nursing care for patients in that home.”]

Textual Amendments

F110 Sch. 7 para. 23 repealed (E.W.) by Registered Homes Act 1984 (c.23, SIF 113:3), s. 57, Sch. 3

24 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F111

Textual Amendments

F111 Sch. 7 paras. 2, 3(b) 24, 25 repealed by Health Services Act 1980 (c.53, SIF 113:2), s. 25(4), Sch. 7

25 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F112

Textual Amendments

F112 Sch. 7 paras. 2, 3(b) 24, 25 repealed by Health Services Act 1980 (c.53, SIF 113:2), s. 25(4), Sch. 7

Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (c. 65) U.K.

26 U.K. In paragraph 3(1) of Schedule 4 to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, for the words “ the issue” to “ section 20” substitute “ registration as midwives under the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979 ”.

Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 (c. 34) U.K.

27 U.K. In Schedule 1 to the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976, for paragraph 6 substitute—

“6. The service of nurses.”

National Health Service Act 1977 (c.49) U.K.

28 U.K. In section 128(1) of the National Health Service Act 1977 omit the definition of “ certified midwife” and “ registered nurse” ; and in Schedule 4, paragraph 1 (5) (c), for “ certified” substitute “ registered ”

National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 29) U.K.

29 U.K. In section 108(1) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, omit the definitions of “ certified midwife” and “ registered nurse”.

Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30) U.K.

30 U.K. In Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978 (words and expressions defined) at the appropriate place in alphabetical order insert—

““Registered” in relation to nurses, midwives and health visitors, means registered in the register maintained by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting by virtue of qualifications in nursing, midwifery or health visiting, as the case may be.”

Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 (c. 44) U.K.

F113 31 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F113 Sch. 7 para. 31 repealed (10.6.1994) by 1993 (c. 19), s. 51, Sch. 10; S.I. 1994/1365, art. 2, Sch.

32—33 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F114

Textual Amendments

F114 Sch. 7 paras. 32, 33 repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1981 (c.19), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. IV

Health and Personal Social Services Order (Northern Ireland) 1972 (S.I. 1972/1265 (N.I.14)) U.K.

34 U.K. In Article 17(1) of the Health and Personal Social Services Order (Northern Ireland) 1972, after sub-paragraph (c), insert—

“(d) provide such facilities and accommodation for persons training with a view to qualification for registration as nurses and midwives as the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland may require in discharging functions under section 6(1)(a) of the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979; .”

F115 35 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F115 Sch. 7 para. 35 repealed (1.4.1994) by S.I. 1994/429, arts. 1(3), 7(3), Sch. 2

Births and Deaths Registration (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (S.I. 1976/1042 (N.I. 15)) U.K.

36 U.K. In Article 2(2) of the Births and Deaths Registration (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 omit the definition of “ midwife” ; and in Article 15 for “ midwife” substitute “ registered midwife ”.

Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (S.I. 1976/1042 (N.I. 15)) U.K.

37 U.K. In paragraph 3(1) of Schedule 5 to the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, for the words from “ the issue” to “ Article 22)” substitute “ registration as midwives under the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979 ”.

Industrial Relations (No.2) (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (S.I. 1976/2147 (N.I. 28)) U.K.

[F116 38 U.K. In Article 15(4) of the Industrial Relations (No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, for “ certified midwife” substitute “ registered midwife ”; and in Article 32 omit the definition of “ certified midwife”.]

Textual Amendments

F116 Sch. 7 para. 38 repealed (7.2.1994 except for specified purposes and 1.7.1994 otherwise) by S.I. 1993/2668 (N.I. 11), art. 18(4), Sch.8; S.R. 1993/476, art.2, Sch.; S.R. 1994/215, art. 2(1)

Section 23(5)

SCHEDULE 8 U.K. Repeals