New arrivals across the Black Country
Date of release: 5 September 2024
More than 40 Midwives will be settling into new roles across Black Country hospitals over the next few weeks, following a successful recruitment drive.
LMNS Retention Leads (left) and Ben Pratt
Organised by the Black Country Local Maternity and Neonatal System (BCLMNS), the event was held to show Band 5 Midwives the opportunities across Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell.
Potential Black Country Midwives were also able to find out more about the Preceptorship period which has been standardised across the four acute Trusts.
A total of 47 attended with job offers following interviews made to 41, at the event at City Hospital, Sandwell.
Among those attending was Ben Pratt who was offered a role.
Seeing his baby sister Bonnie in the Neonatal Unit is what sparked an interest in Midwifery for him.
“I started my career working with animals but when my sister was born at 31 weeks and I visited the unit every day after college that’s when I knew what I wanted to do.,” he said.
“I knew I didn’t want to do adult nursing. I come from a big family and there’s always been babies and children around which helped me decide to become a Midwife.
“Working in community I met a woman whose baby I delivered previously and I really like that continuity and building those relationships.”
Lucy Murcott, BCLMNS Workforce Lead, said: “We spoke to some fantastic people across the day and know that we have recruited Midwives who will be a real asset to our teams across the Black Country.
“We wish them all the best as they settle into their work over the next few weeks.”
The Trusts involved made the most of the opportunity to network and share ideas.
Kathryn Allport, Perinatal Services Workforce and Education Lead at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, added: "This was a fantastic opportunity for each Trust to showcase their preceptorship offers.
"We relish the chance to recruit Midwives in collaboration with Trusts and colleagues across the LMNS and share our vision for the future Black Country Midwifery workforce."
Attendees also had the chance to take virtual tours of the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Sandwell, which is opening on 6 October this year. Maternity and Neonates are due to move in on 6 November.
