In December 2010, ‘The Birth Centre Ltd’ run by the renowned leading midwifery figure Professor Caroline Flint, went into receivership, unable to garner the financial support needed to keep it running. For 25 years it was at the forefront of innovation in midwifery care and developing alternative models of midwifery caseload practice. It played a valuable role in the training of many midwives now working throughout the world to improve standards of midwifery care. They were also responsible for many hundreds of positive birth outcomes and joyful birth experiences as reflected in the positive feedback from Birth Centre parents and excellent statistical results.
Because we wanted to carry on the Birth Centre tradition and spirit and continue to offer a service to parents, a group of previous Birth Centre Midwives have decided to develop an Independent practice to carry on and develop the main beliefs of superior midwifery care espoused by Caroline Flint:
"Know your midwife" Individualised care Your baby, your birth, your choice We have decided to call ourselves Phoenix Independent Midwives because we thought the symbology was apt. As a midwifery practice we have risen out of the ashes of The Birth Centre. We believe that the ideas of transformation, birth and rebirth associated with the Phoenix are applicable not only to our practice, but also to the goals of helping to bring babies safely and joyfully into the world, and supporting parents to make an optimal transition to family life. We like that the Phoenix is considered gentle and is associated with the capacity for vision and inspiration.
