Consultant Midwives to boost clinical care in Moray and Across Grampian

Midwifery teams across NHS Grampian are to benefit from a boost to service provision with the recruitment of two new consultant midwives.

For the first time, a consultant midwife will be dedicated to the delivery of the Moray Maternity Service Plan. NHS Grampian is one of only two health boards in Scotland to benefit from this kind of clinical leadership and expertise.

Geraldine Fraser, NHS Grampian’s Integrated Families Portfolio Lead, explained: “Recruitment to support our Moray Maternity Service Plan is now underway as part of a North of Scotland approach with NHS Highland. Consultant midwives are recognised as clinical experts in their field, with a remit to coach, inspire and empower colleagues, implement research and support training and development. As well as spending part of their time in clinical practice, they also have a unique role in influencing strategic vision, and evaluating, developing and improving service provision.”

Nicola Mackay – who previously led practice education activities at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital – stepped up into the consultant midwife role for Moray earlier this month. She is working with colleagues from NHS Highland on the delivery of the service plan.

She said: “My role is based predominantly in Moray, to focus on the care provided to families. As services evolve, our aim is to drive forward high-quality, safe care that improves health outcomes for all women and families in Grampian. I’m really looking forward to working with colleagues and our local community in this exciting new role.”

Nicola will be working closely with Amanda Gotch who is also a registered midwife with extensive leadership experience and will cover the wider Grampian area.

Amanda commented: “During the last three years I have been focused on delivering our realistic medicine programme in Grampian and Orkney. This is about driving more meaningful conversations between patients, their families and healthcare professionals, to ensure they feel included in treatment decisions which affect them. This journey started with me undertaking the Scottish Quality and Safety Fellowship, and I want to put the investment in me, supported by NHS Grampian, to use in the consultant midwife role.

“All midwives should be recognised as clinical experts and it’s our job to really uplift the profession locally. It's an exciting time for maternity services in Grampian, and I am really looking forward to being a part of it.”