About

I completed my registered nurse training at Derby and worked as a staff nurse on the regional neurosurgical unit. I then completed midwifery training and on qualifying worked as a midwife at Royal Derby Hospital.  Although I worked in many specialist areas within midwifery, the majority of my time at Derby was as matron in the inpatient maternity areas. I was part of the consulting team when designing the new maternity unit which forms a significant part of the new hospital build.

I worked for six years at Burton hospital as matron for community midwifery which included the Samuel Johnson midwifery-led unit and led the service through many changes. Following this, I moved into higher education as a senior lecturer in midwifery at the University of Wolverhampton. In addition to teaching across the whole midwifery spectrum, I was the link tutor for Burton hospitals and personal tutor for a number of students.

I have obtained various qualifications during my career, in both clinical midwifery, management and leadership at all levels, the highest at MSc level.

I am a Professional Midwifery Advocate, with overarching responsibilities regarding safety for women and babies, staff development and restorative clinical supervision.

I joined the university in my current role at the end of April 2020.

Teaching responsibilities

I have a responsibility to support colleagues across the whole spectrum of teaching in health and social care.

My specific responsibilities in this role are to lead and advise on midwifery education, and to develop the midwifery programmes for the University of Derby.

Professional interests

As a member of the Lead Midwife for Education network, I liaise with colleagues who plan and deliver midwifery programmes in higher education. I am involved in strategic developments with the Nursing and Midwifery Council regarding all midwifery issues.

I am a reviewer for the British Journal of Midwifery.

Membership of professional bodies

• Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Royal College of Midwives

Qualifications

Undergraduate Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse
• Registered Midwife
• Diploma in professional practice in midwifery

Postgraduate Qualifications

• Postgraduate diploma in professional practice in midwifery
• MSc Project management in Midwifery
• Supervisor of Midwives
• Professional Midwifery Advocate
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education

Recent conferences

• Professional Midwifery Advocate conference July 2019
• Nursing and Midwifery Council – future midwifery standards