The RCM’s Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, met midwives and student midwives during a visit to Queen’s University Belfast.
The visit put the spotlight on the next generation of midwives in Northern Ireland, giving The Princess Royal the chance to hear from students about their education as they prepare to join the profession.
The Princess Royal visited the university’s School of Nursing and Midwifery yesterday (16 September), where she was joined by Dr Dale Spence, Director of RCM Northern Ireland, and Hannah Leonard, the RCM’s Chief Policy Officer and Deputy Chief Midwife.
Dr Dale Spence said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, to Northern Ireland and for her to meet student midwives. Midwifery is a hugely rewarding career. Giving students the skills, experience and support they need before they qualify is so important, and today was a great chance for our Patron to see that work first-hand.
“We’re incredibly proud of the student midwives coming through at Queen’s. The Midwifery Society was a very deserving winner at the RCM Awards earlier this year, and there is a real sense of community among the students there.
“Today has been a chance to celebrate them, as well as the educators who support them as they prepare to join the profession.”
HRH The Princess Royal was given a tour of the KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim Centre, where students can practise clinical skills and experience scenarios they may face in maternity services in a safe and supported setting.
Midwifery student Abi Sharpe said: “Simulated practice has been invaluable throughout my midwifery training, giving me a safe space to build my clinical skills, confidence and decision-making.
“For me, it has reinforced the importance of providing compassionate, evidence-based and individualised support to every family. To have the opportunity to showcase to The Princess Royal was an amazing experience for all the students involved.”
Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, said: “It was a great deal of pride that we welcomed The Princess Royal today. As Patron of the RCM, we recognise her invaluable role in championing the midwifery profession.”
The visit ended with The Princess Royal unveiling a plaque at the KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim Centre to mark the occasion.
