Midwives Act, 1944

Midwives' badges.

44.—(1) The Board shall, by rules made under this Act, provide for the issue by the Board to midwives of badges denoting that the wearers are midwives.

(2) Rules for the purposes of this section may, in particular, make provision in respect of the following matters, that is to say:—

(a) the pattern of midwives' badges;

(b) the fee to be paid to the Board on the issue of a midwife's badge; and

(c) the circumstances in which a new midwife's badge may be issued in lieu of a midwife's badge lost, damaged, or destroyed.

(3) Whenever rules for the purposes of this section are for the time being in force, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—

(a) it shall not be lawful for any person other than the midwife to whom a midwife's badge is issued to wear such badge;

(b) it shall not be lawful for any person to whom a midwife's badge is issued to lend the badge to, or permit the badge to be worn by, any other person;

(c) it shall not be lawful for any person to wear a colourable imitation of a midwife's badge;

(d) where the name of any midwife to whom a midwife's badge has been issued is removed from the roll of midwives, she shall within fourteen days from the notification to her of the removal surrender the badge to the Board;

(e) where the name of any woman who has surrendered her midwife's badge under paragraph (d) of this sub-section is restored to the roll of midwives, the Board shall return the badge to her; and

(f) where a midwife to whom a midwife's badge has been issued dies, the person having custody of the badge shall return it to the Board within fourteen days after death.

(4) If any person contravenes (whether by act or omission) any of the provisions of the immediately preceding sub-section of this section, such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds.

(5) In a prosecution for an offence consisting of a contravention of paragraph (d) or paragraph (f) of sub-section (3) of this section, it shall be a good defence if it is shown to the satisfaction of the court that there was reasonable cause for the failure of the defendant to comply with the requirement to which the prosecution relates.