Engaged midwives offer better care

Better Births, the report of the National Maternity Review (2016), set out its ambition and advanced recommendations that, if implemented, will transform maternity services in England. Similarly, the recently published review of maternity and neonatal services in Scotland (Scottish Government, 2017) has focused on the provision of: safe, high-quality, accessible care; the availability of choice; continuity of carer; personalised care; improved and seamless multi-professional working; and neonatal and perinatal mental health services.

Such policy drivers shine the spotlight on maternity services for the right reasons and have created an era of excitement and anticipation among maternity service users and most midwives. Successful implemen-tation relies, in part, on midwives being engaged, willing and able to be the change.

Engaged staff are individuals who are ‘committed to their organisations [and] involved in their roles… more likely to bring their heart and soul to work… and collaborate effectively’ (The King's Fund, 2015: 2).