Maternity care assistants (MCAs) (also known as maternity support workers (MSWs)) have been in the news recently following allegations that some have been performing tasks beyond their remit. These allegations confirm many health professionals’ worst opinions about the rise of the healthcare assistant (HCA), but also shine a critical light on registered health professionals themselves. The official role of the MCA is broad but its main focus is to act as an assistant on the maternity ward or in the community. Duties include data entry, meeting and greeting and maintaining a safe environment (NHS Jobs, 2007). However MCAs, like HCAs, are not regulated, and if not properly managed, the boundaries of their role can often become blurred.