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Midwives Multiply!
Written by Communications Lead   

With more than 4,000 babies delivered in 12 months it’s hardly surprising that the maternity unit at St. Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, needs an increasing number of midwives! 
 
A recent recruitment drive has attracted a big interested across a wide age range and delighted Associate Director Maternity Services Eileen Nolan is very pleased with the results. The drive for more staff continues with a campaign to encourage former midwives to return to their profession
 
Said Eileen: “Since the beginning of September we have had 17 new midwives, 10 maternity assistants and a nursery nurse have joining the staff in the maternity unit at ASPH.  I am delighted to welcome all the new staff, who will soon be joined by a further two midwives and another maternity assistant in December.  This is the biggest increase in maternity staff in memory and demonstrates the commitment to improving maternity care for women in the area.
 
“We are not stopping there! As our maternity services at Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust continue to grow we are now taking part in a recruitment drive to encourage former midwives to “Return to Practice.”  We are doing this in partnership with the University of Surrey and there are places available on a new course which begins on 6 February.”
 
The midwifery service provides staff for ante-natal clinics; the day assessment unit; the early pregnancy unit; antenatal and postnatal wards; the two operating theatres; the birthing pool; eight delivery rooms on the labour ward, two “Home from Home” rooms; the transitional care unit and in the community for parent education classes, home births and provide care in GP’s surgeries and clinics.
 
There are 121 midwives supported by nursery nurses, maternity assistants and clerical staff.
                                                                                                                                             
 
Among the new recruits is Charlotte Edmunds of Horsell.  Charlotte, 23, was one of 10 maternity assistants that began work in November.  A former Woking High School pupil she had a working background in retailing before beginning a course at Brooklands College that now brings her into the maternity unit three days a week as a maternity assistant. 
 
Said Charlotte: “I was six years old when my niece Michelle was born and during my sister Julie’s pregnancy I became fascinated by babies. When I came out of school I felt a career with babies was too much of a responsibility to take on and I went into retailing.”
 
She particularly enjoyed her time at the Piccadilly Circus Virgin Mega Store, coming into contact with many celebrities at their “signing sessions” where she learnt a lot of people skills that she still finds very useful.
 
Said Charlotte: “Then this year I had a “wake-up” call and thought that life is for taking and it’s up to you what you do with it!”
 
That led Charlotte to applying to Brooklands College, Weybridge, in July and with their guidance things have been “Brilliant”.   She added: “I can still learn and have hands-on experience on finding out what the work of a midwife involves. My main aim is to put the Mum first and make sure she feels comfortable and that she knows she has the care and the support that she needs.”
 
 As Charlotte sets out on the road to a new career she hopes to follow the lead of Sarah Knight who was also once a midwifery assistant and has gone on to become a fully trained midwife. 
 
Sarah, a former William Perkins Girls’ School pupil studied art and design at Brooklands College before specialising in metalwork and jewellery at university. She had her own business for a while,  and other jobs before, at 28, deciding that her recent experience as a midwifery assistant at St. Peter’s was enough to make her want to become a midwife.  Now, three years later, she has graduated from the University of Surrey with a Diploma in Midwifery Studies.
 
                                                                                                                 
Said Sarah: “The course was 50% practical and 50% studies. It was a good mix because we were able to cement what we learnt in the classroom with the practical work. It was hard work but well worth the big commitment.” 
 
Since leaving university Sarah is now working on three-six month rotations on the Labour Ward, Joan Booker Ward and out in the community and at the same time studying and passing professional standard competencies in areas such as drug competency and suturing competency.
 
Qualified nurses who are interested in following a new career path in the NHS can join an 18 month midwifery training course which is university, community and hospital based.
 
Midwives who have been out of practice for more than five years and want to learn more about returning to this very rewarding career can find out more, or ask for an application pack, by ringing Labour Ward and Inpatient Manager Lesley Howick on: 01932 723868 or Janet Masan on: 01483 689932 or emailing her on: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it before 19 December.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 31 December 2008 13:14 )