Maternity & Midwifery Forum

Undergraduate Systematic physical examination of the newborn- impact and effectiveness

Debra
Systematic physical examination of the newborn (SPEN) has been included in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards for Pre-Registration Midwifery Education since 2019. It is expected to be part of the programme, with students able to undertake SPEN at qualification. Sarah Milnes, and Lucy Bradley, Midwifery Lecturers, University of......
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Continuing the journey of Midwifery Education in Abu Dhabi 

Debra
For the past three years we have been following the journey of Georgina Sosa and Maeve O’Connell as they have been developing a high quality midwifery degree programme in Abu Dhabi. In this article Maeve shares the next part of their story and developments being made.  __________________________ This year has......
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Redefining the Role of an Educator: Becoming a Learning Companion for an Inclusive and Humanised Learning Approach

Debra
As midwives we are all ‘educators’ whether in theory or practice. In this personal, reflective article from Dana Colbourne, Registered Midwife, EDI Ally & Learning Companion, reveals her journey to seeing ‘education’ differently and calls us to a more humanised learning approach.    _____________________________ As a wife, mother of two young......
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Scotland Maternity & Midwifery Festival – Tuesday 26 November

Debra
The Scotland Maternity & Midwifery Festival takes place on Tuesday 26 November online and in-person at Murrayfield Stadium. Bringing you the latest clinical and research innovations, Meet the Expert talks, careers and self development advice, networking opportunities and diverse exhibition – all to your door step.   Join us at Murrayfield......
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Do we want to change? – recent reports on maternity services 

Debra
Over recent months various reports relevant to maternity services have been released. Dr Jenny Hall, Editor, Maternity and Midwifery Forum highlights points from the reports, encouraging us to use them to make change.   __________________________________________________   Over recent months, with the current transitions of government here in the UK sharing headlines......
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The role of the midwife in the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme

Debra
A new vaccination programme to help protect infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has commenced. Greta Hayward, Consultant Midwife, Immunisation Division, UKHSA, explains the programme and the role of midwives in supporting women to make informed decisions and access the vaccine   ________________________________________ Most of you will have heard about the......
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Safelives – Ending Domestic abuse: the midwives’ role 

Debra
  Domestic abuse in and around the perinatal period is of increasing concern. This is testified in the recent release of the latest MBRRACE-UK Saving lives-improving Mothers’ care report. Speaking on the Maternity and Midwifery hour this week, members of the charity Safelives-Ending Domestic Abuse will be sharing the importance......
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Maternity services failings: Can we try a different approach?

Debra
Recently the research team of Ellen Thaels, Research Associate, Dr Claire Feeley, Lead Applicant, both King’s College London and Prof Soo Downe, Joint Lead Applicant, University of Central Lancashire launched a new study around high-quality maternity care, the BEACON project. We share here details of the study and what it......
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Can dietetic-led nutrition education sessions support student midwives to have more meaningful conversations about diet during antenatal care?

Debra
Helping women and birthing people with nutrition in pregnancy is important for their wellbeing and that of the unborn fetus. Yet, there is little attention given to education to enable students to have meaningful conversations. Dr Julie Abayomi, RD, Associate Head of Medicine & Nutrition, Edge Hill University, who will......
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