'If you were a politician what policy/law would you create for maternity services?'

I would make it possible for everyone to be able to attend the Smnet preparing for interview day, because personally it was the most valuable day i've ever had. Would also make the thought of uni interviews less scary and more of a fun day out. I would also like to see all collages who have library resources which offer nursing journals to also offer midwifery journals for prospective students to read. I would also like to make it law for tutors and members of the general public who think they know better to be better educated on the application process and course content and not just talk about how hard it is too get onto the course. When it's what you've got your heart set on it does get a bit tiring! I want the journey of becoming a student midwife, to being a student midwife to becoming a qualified midwife to be an enjoyable and well respected one, with help from the government and local communities supporting the hard work that we all go through to get there. Thank you smnet for letting me have my 5 minutes of how it would be if I were in charge xx

I would introduce the possibility to privately fund midwifery uni places, if funding through the government and the NHS isn't an option, to give more people a chance to study midwifery.
I would like to start a campaign that increases public awareness about midwifery, and the fabulous job midwives do and the beauty of birth. This includes newspaper articles, TV programmes, maybe posters, books and interviews. This could improve the way the general public see the maternity services, raise morale in midwives and in turn improve care, which would then improve the way the public regard midwives even more, and so on.
I would make it compulsory for anyone who has a say about changes in the maternity services to spend at least a week observing a midwife, so they have an idea of what they are messing with, if they are planning any more cuts, and to show them how essential the work is that a midwife does. Make them all wear scrubs for a week, do nightshifts and spend 14 hours on their feet!

Move to New Zealand

I would say that all student midwives should have to facilitate a certain number of vaginal breech births before graduating, and registered midwives should do refresher courses every few years so that this skill is not lost, and that women can feel more able to choose vaginal breech births and feel supported doing so.

I think that this would help prevent essential midwifery skills being lost forever and help maintain women's belief in themselves to birth their babies, and reduce unnecessary interventions.

continuity of care is definately important, but i would provide all those considering a career in midwifery with a taster course, as it would prevent people dropping out of courses etc x

Re: 'If you were a politician what policy/law would you create for maternity services

Congratulations Nellie...well said!!! I have seen on my placement on a postnatal ward a midwife looking after up to 17 women and their babies....I know of NO other ward that would expect 1 nurse to care for 34 people!!! It is a disgusting reflection of todays NHS!

I am slightly jealous that you won the bag too!!!! he he he

G xx

Re: 'If you were a politician what policy/law would you create for maternity services

Well done Nellie

Re: 'If you were a politician what policy/law would you create for maternity services

Oooh this is a good question. Mine would be that all women had to have a personal wash before visiting the midwife!

only joking! Will post a real one after a think!