Hospital welcomes student midwife
‘It is such a unique opportunity and everyone has been very welcoming and supportive.’
Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is working in partnership and supporting the University of Highlands and Islands to help train post-graduate registered nurses in the completion of the new shortened midwifery programme.
Lorn and Islands Hospital recently welcomed Holly Jenkins, student midwife, who is currently in her tenth week of the programme.
The programme has been developed for Highlands and Islands’ registered nurses who will continue to work in the area after they have completed the programme. It is being delivered in partnership with expert clinical professionals and comprises 60 per cent practice and 40 per cent theory.
All the nurses’ clinical practice placements are being provided in urban, remote and rural island practice areas.
The programme also focuses on flexible learning and combines innovative e-learning technologies.
Wendy Jessiman, lead midwife for education, University of the Highlands and Islands, said: ‘We are delighted midwives in the Community Maternity Units in Argyll and Bute are supporting student midwives from the University of the Highlands and Islands. These placements provide our students with opportunities to experience the midwife’s role firsthand and offer a unique perspective on childbearing in remote and rural areas.’
There are 19 registered nurses completing the 20-month programme. Six of the student midwives have their first placement in Argyll and Bute hospitals. The HSCP is happy the initiative enables the registered nurses to train nearer their homes and will help with the recruitment of midwives to Highlands and Islands posts in the near future. Catriona Dreghorn, Argyll and Bute HSCP Interim Lead Midwife, said: ‘The new programme is innovative and will significantly improve rural midwifery recruitment.’
Midwives have diverse roles and are usually the first and main contact for women during their pregnancy. Midwives provide care to local women in the local maternity unit and at home, they attend births and cover antenatal and postnatal care until six weeks after birth. They also work closely with other health and social care professionals such as doctors, specialist nurses, social workers, health visitors and third sector organisations.
The midwives also provide up to date health and well-being information and advice and deliver parent education classes.
About her experience on the programme, Holly Jenkins, said: ‘I have had a fantastic placement in Oban. I have been able to gain first-hand experience in remote and rural midwifery practice in the surrounding communities and Islands.
‘It is such a unique opportunity and everyone has been very welcoming and supportive. I could not of asked for a better introduction to midwifery care.’