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Sixteen newly qualified midwives have joined the Southern Trust and recently completed an induction programme to support their move from student to registered midwife. Several of them have a personal link to local maternity services, having experienced them at different stages of their lives. One of the group, Jude Davis, has returned to Craigavon Area Hospital 21 years after she was born there.
Christine Jennings from Newry and Jodie Nicholl from Scarva both worked as Maternity Support Workers in the Trust before qualifying as midwives. Between them, they are mothers to seven children.
Wendy Clarke, Head of Midwifery and Gynaecology, officially welcomed the new midwives. “It is a real pleasure to welcome our newly qualified midwives to the Southern Trust.
“Starting out as a registered midwife is an exciting time and we want them to feel supported from the outset. They will play an important role in caring for women and families across our maternity services and will be a valued part of our team.”
Most of the newly appointed midwives trained through Queen’s University Belfast and completed clinical placements within the Trust over the past three years. Several others completed their training elsewhere.
Katrina McCullough, a Clinical Skills Midwife, said: “The move from student to registered midwife is a big step. We are here to help our new midwives settle into practice, learn from experienced colleagues and feel confident in their new roles.”
Following the induction, the new midwives will begin an 18-month post-registration programme in the Trust’s maternity services. They will work alongside experienced colleagues and build their skills through placements suited to their role, including in community and hospital-based care.
