The Department of Health has appointed Professor Mary Renfrew to take forward a new report looking at Midwifery Services in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health has appointed Professor Mary Renfrew to take forward a new report looking at Midwifery Services in Northern Ireland.

Professor Renfrew will undertake work that will help inform a consistent approach to the provision of midwifery services throughout Northern Ireland, including a comprehensive and independent review of freestanding midwifery led units.

Users and advocates of maternity services and professionals will be engaged throughout the process.

As part of the 'Enabling Safe, Quality Midwifery Services and Care in Northern Ireland' report, Professor Renfrew will develop recommendations for policy, practice, education and research in Northern Ireland.

The recommendations will also form part of a programme of work currently being undertaken by the Department's Maternity and Neonatal Safety Oversight Group, which was established to receive assurance on the safety of maternity and neonatal services for the population in Northern Ireland.

Chief Nursing Officer, Maria McIlgorm, said: "Our maternity teams are a critical part of our health and social care system, caring for over 20,000 women and babies each year in Northern Ireland. This independent report is fundamental to ensuring that we continue to improve services for expectant mothers, their babies and families, as well as our midwives and maternity teams."

The Chief Nurse continued: "The report will take a comprehensive look at services and critically, maternity service users and staff will be central to the process. 

"I welcome the appointment of Professor Renfrew, her significant expertise and in depth knowledge of midwifery are  highly respected throughout the UK and globally, and we are very fortunate that she is leading this report for us in Northern Ireland."

Professor Mary Renfrew said: "I am honoured to be leading this important work for Northern Ireland. It is timely to be examining the quality and safety of services and care for all women, babies and families.  We will be learning lessons from successful service provision internationally, key research evidence, the expertise of researchers, educators, multidisciplinary staff, and the experiences of women and families."