A midwife from the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has won a respected award from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) for showing strong leadership by introducing new services in the region, leading to greater equity in care provision for women.

Kathy Murphy, who has more than 40 years’ experience in the NHS, took home the Excellence in Midwifery for Leadership Award during a ceremony in London on 18 October.

She has brought together the largest maternity service in the UK, employing 820 midwives and supporting the births of 16,500 babies each year.

In response to the current climate within maternity services, she identified six key areas of development for the Heads of Midwifery and Directors of Midwifery. Her programme has led the way for senior midwifery leaders within the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) to network and forge strong connections and professional working relationships which, in turn, have strengthened the maternity system in the region.

At the awards ceremony, the RCM’s Chief Executive, Gill Walton, said: “Kathy has demonstrated commitment and lifelong learning to midwifery since 1987. Throughout her career, she has consistently committed to personal growth and development and demonstrated a passion for quality and innovation, spanning both nursing and midwifery professions.

“An example of this was her involvement in the production of a book on midwifery for pupils in schools to encourage year eight and nine students from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to enter the midwifery profession. She recognised that research had shown that midwives from a similar heritage to the women they care for can improve patient experience in hospital and lead to safer births. She is such a passionate, committed and supportive leader who inspires others to provide high quality and safe maternity care.”

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.