'New RCM President inaugurated'
By RCM on 07 June 2017 RCM President Zepherina Veitch Memorial Lecture
A Consultant Midwife from Birmingham has been elected by the members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) as their next President.
Kathryn Gutteridge will replace Professor Lesley Page who has been in place as the RCM’s President since 2012.
Kathryn was formally inaugurated at the RCM’s 19th Annual Zepherina Veitch Lecture which took place yesterday (Tuesday June 6th) in Oxford and is currently a Consultant Midwife and Clinical Lead for Low Risk Women at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.
Kathryn is an established Consultant Midwife with a long history of clinical care in the NHS and has also worked in many diverse settings including neonatal services and community midwifery care.
Passionate about women’s issues and particularly in relation to childbearing, Kathryn has a reputation for representing women’s psychological and mental wellbeing during this vulnerable stage of their lives.
Kathryn is also an experienced author and presenter on both the national and international circuit, specialising in emotional wellbeing during childbirth and women maintaining control over their choices during pregnancy.
Commenting on her appointment as RCM’s new President, Kathryn Gutteridge said; “I am so thrilled that I have been elected as the next president of the RCM, I cannot think of a more honourable position to take up than this.
“I see this opportunity as a prestigious gift to work closely with midwives and maternity support workers as we face the future changes in maternity care. I believe that we have tremendous influence upon the lives of women and their families as they make that leap of faith in welcoming their new baby into their lives.
“I feel strongly that women look to us for guidance and support during their childbearing experiences and how we work with them at this time will influence the kind of parents they become.
I am also so thankful for the wonderful leadership and presence of our dear Professor Lesley Page over the past five years, she has been a true ambassador for our profession.”
Kathryn Gutteridge’s full Biography is available to read here
To contact the RCM Press Office call 020 7312 3456 or email pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.
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Notes to editors
The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.