Region’s first prescribing midwives making a difference at Dr Gray’s

Two NHS Grampian midwives who were among the region’s first to take part in a prescribing course at Robert Gordon University are now putting their skills to use as part of the team at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.

Senior charge midwife Rebecca Allan first qualified in 2012 after being inspired to join the profession by a local midwife she met while working in a GP surgery reception.  
 
She explains: “Welcoming new life into the world is a privilege and a wonder I will never get bored of. I used to see the community midwife coming in and out to do her clinics, and I felt really inspired by her because sometimes the women would come into the clinic looking despondent or unhappy, but they would almost always leave appearing happy, smiley and more confident. I felt that this was someone who really made a difference, and I really wanted to be able to make that difference.” 
 
Rebecca’s keenness to have a positive impact on new mums is also why she chose to take up the offer of additional training to be able to prescribe medication. She says: “Being a prescribing midwife means that we can often bridge some of the gap between the role normally undertaken by the midwives on the floor and the medical staff. It allows us to assess pregnant and postnatal women with minor ailments and enables us to offer a high quality, safe level of care, close to home.” 
 
Rebecca’s colleague Dawn Bannister who first qualified as a midwife nearly 20 years ago has made ongoing training a career priority and is now also a prescribing midwife.  
 
Dawn explains: “I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I love being able to support families, enabling them to have the birth experience that they desire. Working in a small rural area we see many families time and again and it helps build trust.   
 
“This additional training helps us to prevent lengthy delays in treatment and promotes continuity of care. I am able to provide consultations, assessments, undertake investigations and prescribe for women in my care within the scope of my role.  
 
“It's not a job for the faint of heart – it's hard work but offers so much joy and job satisfaction.” 
 
Prescribing midwives improve the experiences families have by providing a more slick and swifter journey through the ward when women come in for triage or day assessment. They can begin day assessment care straight away because they can cannulate, obtain bloods, and give the medication and fluids they require. 
 
If a woman requires a discharge prescription, or antibiotics for something like a urine infection, they can provide the treatment or enable them to leave with a prescription.  
 
Prescribing midwives can prescribe any medication, as long as it is appropriate to the women in their care and within the sphere of their knowledge and skill.  

Rebecca and Dawn embarked on the prescribing course modules in 2019 and qualified, after delays due to the pandemic, last year. This additional aspect of their role has been so well received that it is hoped more team members will take up the offer of training. 
 
Clinical midwifery manager for maternity services in Moray, Gill Valentine adds: “Rebecca and Dawn are a huge asset to the team and we’re really pleased with how well this is working so far. All midwives are highly qualified, expert, caring professionals, and the prescribing training takes this one step further. It also makes a huge difference to our wonderful Moray mums and babies.” 
 
Dean for the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Practice, Professor Susan Dawkes, said: “I’m delighted two NHS Grampian midwives are putting the skills and knowledge gained on RGU’s Prescribing for healthcare practitioners course into practice at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.

The course we offer is structured around the Royal Pharmaceutical Society competency framework and gives healthcare practitioners the opportunity to learn the most up to date skills and knowledge that can really make a difference to patients’ lives. The course is playing a leading role in the changing future of independent prescribing, and I hope other midwives will come forward to undergo the training.” 
 
Matthew Sunter, Prescribing Programme Leader at RGU said: “It is fantastic to hear about the great work our students are undertaking with their new skills as midwife prescribers. It is well recognised that their dedication and expertise will have a significant and positive impact on the quality of care they provide.”