Title: Saving Babies Lives Lead and Public Health Specialist Midwife 

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Midwifery, safeguarding supervisor, student practice assessor, professional midwifery advocate

Career timeline: I qualified as a midwife in 2008 and I initially started my career at Leeds General Infirmary and then came to Hull where I have worked as a rotational midwife, core on the Postnatal Ward, junior sister on Rowan ward and senior sister in Community.  I am now working in public health, where I work in partnership with the midwifery team and the wider community to identify public health priorities and reduce health inequalities.  I coordinate the implementation of smoking cessation, maternal obesity and the influenza, pertussis, RSV and BCG vaccine programme. I am also the lead for Saving Babies Lives 3.2, which I have found a highlight in my career because I can observe tangible steps forward in reducing perinatal mortality and morbidity. 

Advice to others:  I have found coaching and the PMA (Professional Midwifery Advocate) service to be invaluable therefore would recommend, to be able to speak with someone non judgemental, facilitating my ability to find solutions and navigate obstacles in a professional manner.  Compassionate leadership is critical to get the best out of people; taking the time to listen and understand.