University of the Highlands and Islands course to help nurses become full midwives in 20 months and meet north Highland communities' needs, says NHS Highland

NURSES working in NHS Highland have until the end of this month to apply for the University of the Highlands and Islands' Shortened Midwifery Programme, which starts in January.

The postgraduate diploma, which has been developed in partnership with NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles and NHS Orkney, will help registered nurses become fully-qualified midwives in 20 months, in a bid to help to meet the needs of communities across the north of Scotland.

The course has an emphasis on providing care in a remote and rural context. Students will learn through a combination of face-to-face classes at the Centre for Health Science, online study via the university’s virtual learning environment and placements with NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles, NHS Orkney and NHS Grampian in urban, remote and rural island-practice areas.

Mary Burnside, the interim head of midwifery for NHS Highland, said: “This is a unique and amazing opportunity for nurses living and working in NHS Highland to train close to home and secure a midwifery post on completion of the programme.

“The course has been designed and delivered by expert clinicians with a practice-led and research-based curriculum. It lasts 20 months and will involve clinical practice placements provided by NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles and NHS Grampian in urban, remote and rural island practice areas.

“Feedback from the first cohort who are currently undertaking the course has been excellent and I look forward to ongoing work with these students and the next cohort who will start in Jan 2020.”

More information about the programme can be found on the University of Highlands and Islands website.

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