Earlier this month, specialist prison midwives from across the country came together at the Royal College of Midwives’ headquarters in London for a day we hope will be the first of many.
It was a rare chance to pause, connect and share experiences with colleagues who understand the realities of providing maternity care in custody.
Prison midwifery can be isolated work. Many specialist midwives are the only person in their role at their prison, supporting women and babies in complex circumstances, often without peers nearby. Bringing this group together in one room felt momentous.
Made possible by the Iolanthe Midwifery Trust
The day was funded by an award from The Iolanthe Midwifery Trust, with support from the University of Hertfordshire. The following evening, we were delighted to celebrate the award at the Iolanthe Midwifery Awards 2026 at The King’s Fund, alongside midwives and students recognised from across the profession. We are hugely grateful to the Trust for recognising the value of this work and making the day possible.
A day of learning and connection
The programme combined expert speakers with plenty of time for open discussion. We were welcomed by Rachel Drain, Professional Advisor at the RCM, and Professor Laura Abbott. We worked together to identify the priorities, key policy and practice gaps, and recommendations for national policy. We’ve since shared this with the Women’s Team at His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.
Katherine Miller-Brunton and Susanna Demelas from Birth Companions led a session on policy and practice, and we were also honoured to welcome Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwife for England, who spoke with the group about the importance of this specialist role.
In the afternoon, an open roundtable gave midwives space to share what is working well in their own prisons and to learn from one another. Mel Ballard, Specialist Midwife at HMP Styal, then led a reflective session as a Professional Midwifery Advocate, giving everyone time to think about their own practice and wellbeing.
The day closed with a relaxation and wellbeing session led by Liz Oliver. Caring for those who care for others matters, and it was lovely to end the day with time simply to breathe, reflect and connect.
Looking ahead
The energy in the room showed how much this community values coming together. Our hope is that this becomes a regular fixture, building a national network of specialist prison midwives who can support each other, share good practice and make sure their voices are heard.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, to our speakers, to the RCM for hosting, and to The Iolanthe Midwifery Trust for making it happen.
