SUPERVISION OF MIDWIFERY FOR STUDENTS
SHSSB
The Supervisors of Midwives in the Southern Trust would like to welcome you
as a student midwife to our maternity services. This short document aims to
provide you with clear information of local supervision of midwifery and
encourage you to make the most of the supervisory framework during your
course.
THE ROLE OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MIDWIVES
Supervision of Midwifery is a statutory supportive framework for midwives to
enable and encourage safe and good practice. Supervision also aims to protect
the public from poor practice and to intervene when unsafe practice occurs
(NMC 2006).
The structure and responsibilities of the Supervisor of Midwives has been
clearly documented in LSAMO (UK) Forum and NMC (2008) ‘Modern
Supervision in Action’, London: NMC which is available online from www.nmcuk.org
. We would encourage you to read this short and concise booklet as
background information.
YOUR ROLE AS A STUDENT MIDWIFE
The Midwives Rules and Standards (2004) states that “student midwives can be
present under supervision with a woman in childbirth as part of their
education”. However the registered midwife will remain “professionally
accountable for what the student does and this will include the consequences
of their actions and omissions” (NMC, 2004).
Statuary supervision of midwives should enable the student midwife to
To be supported by the supervisory framework

To develop an understanding of the role and functions of a supervisor of
midwives and how the process supports safe midwifery practice

To develop an apperception and its implications; the Statutory Framework
for midwifery practice, the midwives rules and standards (NMC, 2004)
and any other legislation and guidance which supports the supervision of
midwives
SUPPORT NETWORKS FOR STUDENTS
We are conscious that as a student you already have a number of support
persons to help and guide you during your course such as:
-
Mentor
-
Personal Tutors
-
Managers
-
Midwifery staff colleagues
-
Fellow students
-
Practice Educators
However, we wish to highlight that you may also avail of the Supervisors of
Midwives regarding practice issues.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST OF SUPERVISION
In your role as a student midwife you can benefit from the supervision of
midwives through the link which exists between the School of Nursing and
Midwifery, Queens University Belfast and each Health and Social Care Trust
where you are assigned on clinical placement. This will occur by means of the
following
Having a named supervisor of midwives within each HSC
trust acting
as a point of contact for students and lecturers.

All supervisors of midwives should maintain effective liaison with Higher
Educational Institutions, ensure that practice issues are regularly
discussed and that concerns about practice which have been raised by
students are resolved.

Information regarding student midwives should be shared only on a need
to know basis as confidentiality must be maintained as a Statutory
Supervisory Standard

All student midwives should be made aware of the Statutory Supervision
Framework at commencement of their training and of local arrangements
of HSC Trusts at commencement of their clinical placement.

Supervisors of Midwives should play an active part in curriculum
planning and development and in evaluation of pre registration midwifery
programs
Information should be given on the following
The role and responsibilities of a Supervisor of Midwives

Statutory Framework for Practice – NMC Midwives Rules and
Standards

Clinical audit activities including midwifery records

Development of guidelines for clinical practice

Professional training and development

Purpose and format of annual review

Receiving of notification of practice

Management of clinical incidents
STRUCTURE OF SOUTHERN TRUST SUPERVISION
Midwife/ student midwife
Supervisor of Midwives (see list below)
LSAMO- Northern Ireland
Verena Wallace
NMC
Names and contact details of Supervisors of Midwives within the Southern Trust
NAME
PLACE OF WORK
Frances Biggerstaff
Armagh/Dungannon and
Craigavon/Banbridge
Heather Davidson
Craigavon Area Hospital
Anne Donnelly
Daisy Hill Hospital
Kaye Donnelly
Daisy Hill Hospital
Maria Garvey
Armagh/Dungannon and
Craigavon/Banbridge
Margaret Hynes
Craigavon Area Hospital
Roberta Jess
Craigavon Area Hospital
Brenda Kelly
Craigavon Area Hospital
Vera Kelso
Armagh/Dungannon and
Craigavon/Banbridge
Sheila Magee
Craigavon Area Hospital
Teresa McCann
Daisy Hill Hospital
Joanne McGlade
Daisy Hill Hospital
Patricia McStay
Craigavon Area Hospital
Carolyn Moorhead
Queens University Belfast
CONTACT NUMBER
Bernie Morgan
Craigavon Area Hospital
Dorothy Patterson
Queens University Belfast
Helen Weir
Craigavon Area Hospital
References
LSAMO (UK) Forum and NMC (2008) ‘Modern Supervision in Action’, London:
NMC
NMC (2006) Standards for the preparation and practice of supervisors of
midwives, London: NMC.
LSA Yorkshire and The Humber (2007) Supervision: Student Midwives, Return
to Practice and Adaptation Course Midwives. LSA: Yorkshire.