Trust reaches new heights in maternity recruitment
Posted: 21 December 2021
Photo: Two new midwives Shona and Charlotte
A maternity team in Hertfordshire is making great progress against a national backdrop of staff shortages by recruiting 17 midwives and providing career opportunities for its existing team.
The new starters joined West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust at the same time as it celebrates five midwives achieving their professional midwifery advocate (PMA) status. All 17 midwives joined the trust between October and November 2021.
Dr Benedicta Agbagwara-Osuji, deputy director of midwifery and gynaecology, said: “We are delighted to have attracted 17 midwives at a time when there is strong competition for their talents. Word is spreading about the emphasis we place on professional development and of the exciting plans for new maternity facilities.”
The trust says it will be working hard to nurture its incoming staff, who have joined the maternity team at a busy time.
One of the ways in which the service is doing this is through the introduction of professional midwifery advocates (PMAs). PMAs are vital to ensuring that new midwives, along with all of their colleagues, are supported and given opportunities to learn.
The PMAs – who are themselves experienced registered midwives – offer emotional, educational and developmental support to each and every midwife. It is a role with a dual focus on the care of those using AND providing maternity services.
Becoming a PMA requires additional requires additional study and exams. The status is nationally recognised and the trust now has 12 PMAs.
Ends
- For more information, please contact the communications team on: 01923 436280 or email: westherts.communications@nhs.uk. Out of hours, please call the Watford General Hospital switchboard on 01923 244366 and ask for the on call communications manager.
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves people from across Hertfordshire, north London and further afield. It operates from three hospitals: Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead. The trust has a catchment area of over 500,000 people and is one of the largest employers locally, with around 5,000 staff and volunteers.
- For more information about our hospitals, visit www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk. You can also join our followers on Twitter (twitter.com/westhertsNHS) and find us on Facebook (facebook.com/westhertsNHS)
