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Gold Award for NHS digital clinical adviser for midwifery

An NHS Digital Clinical Adviser, who is leading the way for digital maternity services, has been presented with a gold award from England’s Chief Midwifery Officer.

Jules Gudgeon works to digitise midwife services and improve women’s maternity care experiences. Her contribution has been recognised by Professor Jaqueline Dunkley-Bent, who has awarded Gudgeon a gold award, only the fifth time the award has been given.

Jules said:

 “I was absolutely overwhelmed to hear I was receiving an award. It was a total shock. The fact that the Chief Midwifery Officer has gone out of her way to recognise my work means such a lot to me.

“My job at NHS Digital is to raise the profile of digital technology across maternity services, so it’s a lovely feeling to think that I must be achieving what I set out to do.”

Gudgeon, who qualified as a midwife in 1993, heard of the news at a digital midwives’ event in London last week.

“All I can hear when I visualise the moment is the reaction from everyone in the room,” said Jules. “There was so much cheering and clapping. I had no idea that I had made such an impact on my colleagues. It was a very special moment, but while it’s an award for me, it’s also an award for all of us. It’s great to see digital at the top of the agenda and it’s been a huge collective effort from everyone involved.”   

Using her vast experience has a midwife, Gudgeon helps and supports the design of new digital tools, to improve the lives of midwives and people accessing maternity services across the country.

Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, chief midwifery officer for England said:

 “I was delighted to present the Chief Midwifery Officer Gold Award to Julia Gudgeon. Julia was nominated because of her contribution to and midwifery leadership of digital maternity.”

“Julia has supported digital innovations and technology that will support the provision of improved care to children affording them the best start in life, whilst supporting the provision of timely healthcare information for mums to be. The use of digital technology to improve maternity care is a key aim in the NHS Long Term Plan, and Julia’s work in this area brings us closer to ensuring that all new mothers receive the benefits.”