The Directive: designation of competent authority etc.40

1

The Council is designated as the competent authority in the United Kingdom for the purposes of the Directive so far as relating to the professions of nurse responsible for general care M1 and midwife.

2

Accordingly, the Council shall in the United Kingdom carry out (in particular) the functions specified in Schedule 3.

3

The Council is designated as the competent authority in the United Kingdom for the award of—

a

evidence of formal qualifications of nurses responsible for general care listed in relation to the United Kingdom in Annex V, point 5.2.2 of the Directive; and

b

evidence of formal qualifications of midwives listed in relation to the United Kingdom in Annex V, point 5.5.2 of the Directive.

4

Subject to paragraph (5), the Secretary of State may give directions to the Council in connection with its functions specified in Schedule 3, and it shall be the duty of the Council to comply with any such directions.

5

Directions given under paragraph (4) may be as to matters of administration only.

6

In Schedule 3—

• “non-UK nursing qualification” means a nursing qualification that—

  1. a

     attests to satisfaction of the training conditions specified in article 31 of the Directive (training of nurses responsible for general care), and

  2. b

     is awarded to a person by a competent authority of a relevant European State other than the United Kingdom;

• “non-UK midwifery qualification” means a midwifery qualification that is awarded to a person by a competent authority of a relevant European State other than the United Kingdom;

• “UK nursing qualification” means a nursing qualification that—

  1. a

     attests to satisfaction of the training conditions specified in article 31 of the Directive, and

  2. b

     is awarded to a person by a competent authority in the United Kingdom;

• “UK midwifery qualification” means a qualification that is awarded to a person by a competent authority in the United Kingdom.