Workforce and Training

04.09.20

First cohort graduate from innovative midwifery pilot programme

An innovative new midwifery pilot programme being run by the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), in association with a number of NHS trusts in the north of Scotland, has seen it’s first cohort of sixteen nurses graduate from the programme.

Launched by UHI in January 2019, the shortened midwifery programme was designed to help meet the needs of communities in the North of Scotland.

Developed in partnership with NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles, NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland, the postgraduate diploma was designed to enable registered nurses to train as fully-qualified midwives in 20 months.

The first cohort of students on the pilot programme completed their studies at the end of August, while the final cohort will finish the course next summer.

A combination of face-to-face classes at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness, online study via the university’s virtual learning environment and placements with NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles, NHS Orkney and NHS Grampian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Fife, in urban, remote and rural island-practice areas.

Students on the programme also assisted during the coronavirus pandemic by starting their final placements early to support the NHS workforce.

Mary Burnside, Deputy Director of Midwifery in NHS Highland, said: “We are delighted to see newly qualified midwives graduate in Highland from the 20-month programme and look forward to welcoming them to the NHS Highland maternity services team.”

Wendy Jessiman, Lead Midwife for Education at the University of the Highlands and Islands, added: “As the only shortened programme in Scotland, we are delighted that all students finishing the programme will be employed in NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles and NHS Orkney.

“The variety of placements and support from the Boards and midwives across Scotland has prepared students to provide excellent midwifery care in remote, rural, urban and island contexts. We wish them all well in their midwifery careers.”

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