Belinda Jackson wins national award for leadership in midwifery

Belinda Jackson, post natal ward manager at North Manchester General Hospital

Belinda Jackson, post natal ward manager at North Manchester General Hospital, scooped The British Journal of Midwifery Practice leadership in midwifery award.

She was nominated by consultant midwife in public health Eileen Stringer for the review of practice and pathways on the postnatal ward at North Manchester, including the views of patients in relation to neonatal care.

The award recognises the work of midwifery leaders who have shown outstanding leadership skills and the ability to nurture potential leaders whilst also maintaining high service standards.

Eileen Stringer said: “With approximately 4,500 births per annum the post natal ward at North Manchester General Hospital is always busy. The ward staff are dedicated to providing the best care that they can but with 28 mothers, 28 babies and a high turnover, it often meant that routine examinations, investigations and reviews for babies were sometimes prolonged and disjointed.

“Belinda therefore introduced a ward based baby clinic which is a one stop shop focusing solely on routine baby care with greater involvement of parents, staff and doctors, ensuring that parents were more involved in decision making.

“The clinic started in November 2014 and since then feedback from parents has been impressive. They feel that their baby is getting individualised care and that they have a much better opportunity to discuss care with the paediatrician in a quiet controlled environment, away from the bustle of the bedside. The clinic is also already being used as a learning opportunity for student midwives and junior medical staff.”

Belinda who has worked at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust since 1980, was originally named as one of the top three finalists, before her name was announced as the winner at an event in March.

She said: “I was thrilled to be nominated and didn’t think that I would win. I am honoured to have won the award but I couldn’t have done it without the dedication and professionalism of the rest of the post natal ward team who have supported me. The award means that the importance of post natal work has been recognised nationally and that we have truly made a difference to the patient’s experience. My job as post natal ward manager entails making sure that the patients have the best possible post natal experience and that mum and baby have the best possible start in life.”