This paper examines the methodology that was developed in the service component of the Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality survey of Jamaica 1986-1987. Using WHO guidelines of appropriate technology for birth, questionnaires were developed to evaluate institutional and field midwifery services as well as to prepare an inventory of staff, basic equipment and supplies. All public maternity institutions in Jamaica were assessed by direct observation on 5 randomly chosen days. Also a 25 por ciento random sample of district midwives were interviewed and their delivery bags and notes inspected. The methodology enables important observations to be made concerning the quality of perinatal care but does not measure health outcome. The methodology is simple, flexible, useful for planning and monitoring standards of care and may be adapted for use in other developing countries.