Parliamentary commission approves establishment of birth centres

A parliamentary commission dealing with midwifery has given preliminary approval to the establishment of birth centres. According to Czech Television, officials will establish rules for the running of such centres during the summer, such as clear regulations for the training of midwifes. The birth centres should for the most part be a part of hospitals. The decision does not clarify the situation with home births. A regulation passed this spring requires midwifes to adhere to strict conditions under a threat of penalties of up to a million crowns; midwifes themselves however have said that the conditions are impossible to meet.