49 new midwives to join Nottingham’s hospitals over the next six weeks
Maternity services at Nottingham City Hospital and the Queen’s Medical Centre are set to welcome 49 new midwives in the next six weeks.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) will see a large increase in its maternity staffing following a recruitment drive earlier in the year.
The midwives, consisting of newly qualified and experienced staff, some of whom are international midwives, will join in five cohorts between now and Monday 21 October.
The new recruits are in addition to 18 international midwives who joined NUH earlier this year from Ghana, Iran, Hong Kong, South Africa and Zambia.
The new midwives will be a welcome addition to the Trust’s maternity team, which already consists of more than 360 midwives who support women and families across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Officially welcoming the new midwives to the Trust, Sharon Wallis, Director of Midwifery said “We are delighted to welcome 49 new midwives to the Trust in the next six weeks.
“We know they will be a brilliant addition to our very dedicated and compassionate maternity team and look forward to supporting them as they develop in their midwifery careers.”
More than 7,000 babies are born at NUH in a typical year and this new cohort will support women and their families, before, during and after birth, in hospital, community clinics and at home.
In the last year, the maternity staff turnover rate at NUH has improved significantly from 13.41% in July 2023 to 8.45% in July 2024. The Trust is also continuing to increase staff retention rates through projects such as self-rostering and careers events.
This week, midwife Ivy Armah started at NUH. Ivy has been a midwife for three years in her home country of Ghana before moving to Nottingham.
Ivy said: “Everybody wants to help when they can, and I am really enjoying it so far. We are like family and rely on each other.
“It’s wonderful. It feels like home.”
Preceptorship midwife, Olutomi Ojo added: “It is only my second day in but so far, I am really enjoying it. I’ve been supported by all the staff, and everyone is really friendly and nice.
“We’ve been able to support each other, and we all look out for each other.”
Marisa Hickman, Maternity Workforce Matron said: “Our new midwives will be a great asset to build on the foundations we’ve already got.
“The new recruits have significantly reduced our vacancies, and we are looking forward to growing and nurturing them to become highly skilled professionals that remain at NUH throughout their career.”
The new midwives are part of the Trusts ongoing maternity improvement programme to improve maternity services at NUH.