Introducing the role of Maternity Support Workers (MSWs) and establishing a nationally standardised definition of the role has won a midwifery team from the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust a national award from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).

The team won the award for Excellence in Midwifery for Education and Learning in the RCM’s annual excellence awards.

The Trust introduced MSWs in 2018 and, by March 2023, there were 22 MSWs working in post-natal wards and communities across the Trust. Funding was secured for a six-month secondment of an MSW Support and Development Midwife to ensure alignment with the Health Education England (HEE) Maternity Support Worker Framework requirements.

An initial scoping exercise soon revealed that none of the MSWs within the Trust had proficiency in all the clinical skills required for full compliance with the framework. These findings were communicated to senior management and a project strategy was devised, including a new skills passport aligned with the framework and biannual MSW update programmes.

At the award ceremony in London on 18 October, the RCM’s Chief Executive, Gill Walton, said: “The training and sponsorship the team obtained for MSW conferences greatly enhanced skills and morale within the MSW team.

“In addition, by successfully aligning its MSW workforce with the HEE Framework, they achieved notable milestones such as 100% completion of the reissued Level 3 Maternity Support Worker Skills and Competency Passport, positive feedback on the training, fostering skills enhancement and team building and recognition in the regional MSW forum for full compliance.”

The project’s excellence was further acknowledged nationally with a highly commended award at the Midwifery and Maternity Festival.

The RCM award, sponsored by the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC), recognises a midwifery educator or a team of educators who are able to demonstrate innovation, dynamism, commitment and enthusiasm for education to benefit student midwives, midwives or MSWs.

ENDS

To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk

Notes to Editors

• For more information on the RCM awards visit here: https://www.rcmawards.com/
• Individual media releases on each winner or winning team available on request, email media@rcm.org.uk.

About the RCM

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team.  We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team.