16Local supervision of midwifery practice
(1)The following bodies shall be local supervising authorities for midwives—
(a)in England, Regional Health Authorities ;
(b)in Wales, Area Health Authorities ;
(c)in Scotland, Health Boards ; and
(d)in Northern Ireland, Health and Social Services Boards.
(2)Each local supervising authority shall—
(a)exercise general supervision, in accordance with rules under section 15, over all midwives practising within its area;
(b)report any prima facie case of misconduct on the part of a midwife which arises in its area to the National Board for the part of the United Kingdom in which the authority acts;
(c)have power in accordance with the Council's rules to suspend a midwife from practice.
(3)The Council may by rules prescribe the qualifications of persons who may be appointed by a local supervising authority to exercise supervision over midwives within its area, and no person shall be so appointed who is not qualified in accordance with the rules.
(4)The National Boards are responsible for providing the authorities with advice and guidance in respect of the exercise of their functions under this section.