On April 13–14 in Athens, HBMA hosted the inaugural Panhellenic Scientific Conference of Midwifery Units, a landmark event dedicated to advancing midwifery-led birth centres in Greece. Organised through the collaborative efforts of HBMA, MUNET (Midwifery Unit Network), and City, University of London, this conference marked a pivotal moment in redefining maternity care in the country. Held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Health, as well as the Midwifery Departments of the International Hellenic University and the University of Western Macedonia, the event was further supported by the Greek Scientific Society of Psychoprophylaxis and the Union of Independent Midwives of Greece. This innovative hybrid event featured a rich program of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and an engaging full day interactive workshop. The overarching focus of the event was the launch of the MUNET Standards, which served as a foundation for exploring key themes in midwifery care and birth centres development. Renowned international and Greek experts, including Dr. Lucia Rocca-Ihenacho and Prof. Christine McCourt, shared their research, clinical insights, and leadership expertise. Their contributions illuminated the facilitators, barriers, and developmental processes critical to establishing midwifery- led models, while emphasising the importance of cohesive, multidisciplinary teamwork.

The event’s primary objective was to ignite a national dialogue on the feasibility, benefits, and logistics of midwifery-led birth centres in Greece. This groundbreaking event brought together healthcare professionals, academics, advocates and the community to envision birth centres as safe, supportive environments for women to give birth outside traditional hospital settings.

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