In the second of the series of looking how midwives have impacted change through challenging practice, Jennifer Clarke, known as ‘Jenny the M’, looks at leadership. Particularly she describes her story of introducing skin-to-skin practice into the operating theatre for women and their babies. Following watching the video you have opportunity to think and reflect about your own practice and consider how this is impacting your care.
Jennifer Clarke — aka Jenny the Midwife or Jenny the M — is now retired but is a passionate advocate for skin-to-skin contact between newborns and their parents. Her leadership and efforts in practice transformed the area where she worked, through creativity and persistence.
The talk she prepared was focussed on leadership, highlighting the responsibility of ALL midwives to be leaders, not just expecting this from managers. It tells the story of how she became a change agent for encouraging skin- to skin practice in operating theatres post-caesarean section. Through some creative methods, a strong focus on the needs of the woman and baby being central, relationship building and persistence, culture and practice changed. The hospital trust became the first in England to use the World Health Organisation (WHO) maternity theatre checklist, which is now adopted in all areas of the NHS for safety.
Jenny is now retired but leaves a legacy of impact for women and their families. The talk illustrates her passion as a leader and challenges us all to take on the mantle for changing culture.
Reflection
Having watched the video here are some starter questions for you to consider. They may lead you to consider some more of your own!
- Were you aware of this change prior to watching the video?
- How is the change impacting your local practice? If not, what is stopping it?
- Did knowledge of this change your practice at the time? Will it change your practice now? If not, why is this?
- How did the COVID pandemic change this practice locally?
- Following the video, how do you feel about the process of changing practice? Is this your own experience? How can this be improved?
- Is there anything you would like to change?
We would be interested to read your stories! Tell us more in the comments below.
2 comments
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