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Welsh midwives fly the flag in Canada

By RCM on 20 June 2017 RCM Wales ICM - International Congress of Midwives

A group of midwives from Wales are proudly flying the Welsh flag as they represent the country at the International Congress of Midwives (ICM) in Toronto, Canada this week, from 18th to 22nd June. The ICM takes place every three years in a different country and is the most important and biggest gathering of midwives in the world. The event attracts 2000 midwives from across the globe.

The eleven welsh midwives travelling to the ICM come from a range of organisations including the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), the Welsh Government, Cardiff University and Health Boards in Wales. All the midwives will be talking at the event, showcasing the work they are doing in Wales. The midwives fly to Canada this coming weekend for the week long conference.

Among the subjects they will be presenting at the conference are the role of the midwife in promoting public health, reducing stillbirths and weight management in pregnancy.

Vicky Richards, The RCM National Officer for Wales is attending the conference, she said: “It is wonderful that Wales is being so well represented at this hugely important conference. We can showcase to the rest of the world the great work that is taking places in our maternity services. We will also be listening very hard as well to learn from the things other countries are doing so that we can bring ideas back to Wales.”

Grace Thomas is the Lead Midwife for Education & Professional Head at Cardiff University, and is one of the midwives going to the ICM, She said: “I am delighted to have the privilege of travelling with nine midwife colleagues to present at the ICM in Toronto in June. It is such a prestigious international midwifery event and a real honour to be representing Wales and to showcase some of the excellent clinical work, education and research that we have in our country, as well as to network with colleagues from across the globe. Sharing and learning from one another enables us to ensure that we provide the best possible care for women and families. We are extremely grateful to all our respective health boards, universities, the RCM and Welsh Government for supporting us to attend and will fly the Welsh flag with pride!"

The midwives travelling to the ICM are:

  • Libby  Baraz a Lecturer in Midwifery at Cardiff University and Clinical Midwife at the University Hospital of Wales
  • Sheila Brown a Lead Midwife for Education at Bangor University
  • Sarah Fox a Consultant Midwife, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board
  • Professor Billie Hunter  a RCM Professor of Midwifery from Cardiff University
  • Karen Jewell The Nursing Officer for Maternity and Early Years at the Welsh Government
  • Marie Lewis a Practice Development Midwife at Powys LHB
  • Lynn Lynch a Lecturer: Midwifery at Cardiff University
  • Vicky Richards  National Officer for Wales at the Royal College of Midwives
  • Dr Julia Sanders a Reader Researcher in Midwifery at Cardiff University and  Consultant Midwife at Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
  • Grace Thomas a Lead Midwife for Education & Professional Head at Cardiff University
  • Emma Wills – A midwife from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board

For more information on the International Congress of Midwives visit http://www.midwives2017.org/.

To contact the RCM Press Office and for a picture of the midwives attending the ICM conference call 020 7312 3456, or email pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.

Ends

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/.

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