Liverpool Women’s is one of a small number of Trusts throughout the country currently carrying no vacancies within their Maternity services department.
Despite a national shortage of midwives, Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust is currently carrying no vacancies and are confidently retaining their existing workforce. By actively encouraging and supporting retired employees to return to work offering flexible working and a free breakfast & parking for all student midwives, the Trust is thriving.
The Trust is also offering an award-winning Preceptorship Programme for newly qualified Midwives that is seeing an outstanding 98% retention rate. The programme, now in it’s 3rd year, was developed by a multidisciplinary team within the Maternity department and provides support and development for newly qualified Midwives. The programme has been a huge success, commended nationally, with the most recent accolade coming from the Nursing Times Workforce Awards. The scheme scooped ‘Preceptorship Programme of the Year’ at the 2023 Awards. The judges felt the programme was an “outstanding and inspiring submission, showcasing passion, insight and innovative practice with strong aims and a desire to support a growing practice”.
Dianne Brown, Chief Nurse commended the Deputy Head of Midwifery Alison Murray , and the education team at the Trust on their national recognition commenting “we are absolutely thrilled with this award which acknowledges the multidisciplinary team approach within our Maternity service and for making the vision we had for midwifery preceptorship come to life. We are proud that we have a team of leaders who are supporting and inspiring the next generation of newly qualified midwives at Liverpool Women’s and for the benefit of the wider NHS in the future.”
The Trust is also seeing low levels of Staff turnover rates (6.1%) below the national target) indicating a stable midwifery workforce.
Yana Richens, Director of Midwifery and Heledd Jones, Head of Midwifery at Liverpool Women’s said: “We pride ourselves on developing our workforce here at Liverpool Women’s, and we have introduced several new posts in the midwifery structure during the past 12 months. These include Maternal Medicine Specialist Midwife, Diabetes Specialist Midwife, Clinical Lead Midwife for the Midwifery Led Unit and Clinical Lead Midwife for the Fetal Medicine Unit to name but a few. We feel these additional posts are having a positive impact throughout maternity, and our commitment to excellence continues to strengthen our team and enhance the care we provide.”