SMiLe 26 Conference

In person

18 November 2026, 8.30AM - 4.30PM

Address: Quincentenary Conference Centre, 10 Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9DH

If you have queries about an event please email events@rcm.org.uk 

Overview

This year’s themeĀ Standing Up for the Midwifery Community,Ā celebrates the power of connection, collaboration, and the shared journey through maternity care. The conference offers a unique opportunity to engage with colleagues from across Scotland, meet the RCM team, and strengthen professional networks.

Join us to connect with colleagues from across maternity services in Scotland, meet the RCM team, and expand your professional network.

Programme

08.30 Registration with tea/coffee and exhibitors

Ā 

09.00 Welcome and introduction

Jaki Lambert, Country Director Royal College of Midwives Scotland

Ā 

09.05 Angela Constance Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care

with Q&A session

Ā 

09.30 Standing up for the midwifery community

Jaki Lambert, Country Director Royal College of Midwives Scotland

Ā 

09.40 Independent review of maternity services – An overview of the review

methodology and opportunities for maternity professionals to contribute

Professor Christine McCourt, Professor of maternal and child health, Centre

for Maternal, Reproductive and Child Health, City St George’s, University of

London and Chair, Independent Review of Maternity Services in Scotland

10.00 Births in midwifery units in Scotland and the rest of the UK. What’s

changed since 2016 and why does this matter?

Rachel Rowe, DPhil, Professor of Maternity Services Research, Head of the UK Midwifery Study System (UKMidSS)

Ā 

10.30 Shaping the future of clinical midwifery education: Key survey findings

Susanne Morrison and Keya Smith co-chairs Scottish Educators Network

Ā 

10.40 Celebrating success

Gill Walton Chief Executive Officer, Chief Midwiffe and General Secretary, Royal College of Midwives

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Student of the Year AwardĀ sponsored by MIDIRS

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Activist of the Year Award sponsored by Thompson Solicitors Scotland

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  MSW of the Year Award sponsored by K2 Medical Systems Ltd

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Aspiring Leader Award sponsored by Scottish Government

11.10 Tea/coffee and exhibition
11.30 Flash talks

Short, engaging presentations showcasing innovative practice, quality improvement, research, and developments from across Scotland.

Ā 

12.35 Lunch and exhibition
13.30 Concurrent workshops

Delegates may attend one workshop only and are asked to indicate their preferred choice in advance.

Ā 

The Listen2Baby Toolkit – how to support improved safety and quality of intermittent auscultation practice

Rachel Rowe, DPhil, Professor of Maternity Services Research

Head of the UK Midwifery Study System (UKMidSS)

 

Maternity Care Assistant workshop

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Dr Tom McEwan, Professional Lead Midwife & Principal Educator | Public Services Delivery Scotland

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Liz Miller, Senior Lecturer/Lead Midwife for Education, Programme Lead Cert HE Maternity Care Assistant, University of the West of Scotland

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Heather Bower, Head of Midwifery Education, Royal College of Midwives

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Cher Dougan and Kelly Croudace, co-chairs Scottish Maternity Care Assistant Network

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Varshali Swadi Professional Engagement and Development Lead at Down’s Syndrome Scotland

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Jennifer McGeeney Healthcare Training Coordinator at Down Syndrome UK

 

RCM Interactive film workshop: Our workplace, your birthplace: From awareness to action

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Jane Bekoe, Senior Midwife and Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Royal

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  College of Midwives

Ā·Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  Jess Duerden and Sola Ayodeji, Odd Arts

16.00 Key things to take away/closing remarks/evaluationĀ 
16.15 Close

 

Fees

Free for RCM members to attend.

Non-members £65.00 plus VAT

 

 

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