University of Sunderland helps fill NHS skills gap after delivering graduation of first cohort of midwives
The University of Sunderland is celebrating its first ever class of graduating midwives who are already supporting families during their pregnancy journeys across the north-east.
Enrolling in 2022, the university’s cohort of midwifery graduates have come to the end of their journey at the University after gaining the skills over the last three years that they need to help support families.
92% of the graduating BA (Hons) Midwifery Practice students are now providing midwifery care in NHS trusts across the region, including South Tyneside and Sunderland, Newcastle, County Durham and Darlington, North Tees and Hartlepoo,l and Northumbria Healthcare.
One of those is Nicola Bamling who has already started her career in Sunderland.
She said: “Graduating as a newly qualified midwife fills me with a deep sense of pride and gratitude. The University has shaped me not only academically, but personally and professionally. It pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.
“University taught me what it truly means to be a midwife. It taught me to listen deeply, to be present, to support families with empathy and respect, and to trust both my knowledge and my intuition.
“Graduating is not just the end of a chapter; it is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to learning, caring, and advocating. I am so proud of this journey which has shaped me to be.”
Fellow graduate Claire Harrison is now working as a midwife at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
She said: “I had both of my daughters in the RVI, and it was always where I envisaged working as a midwife. So, I was over the moon when secured my role there.
“I went through the three years with such a supportive group and learned so much about midwifery from our lecturers who were experts in the field. I felt ready to enter the profession as a newly qualified midwife, and hope this is the start of a long and successful career.”
The University of Sunderland is striving to play a crucial role in addressing the employment gaps in the NHS, including in midwifery.
Jane Anderson, Director of Midwifery at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are delighted to welcome the University of Sunderland’s first graduating midwives into the profession and into our local NHS workforce.
“Midwifery is both a privilege and a responsibility and these new colleagues bring fresh energy, compassion and dedication to our teams. We look forward to supporting them as they begin their careers and to seeing the positive impact they will have on the families in our communities."
Sarah Fairbairn, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Midwifery Practice at the University, said: ‘‘We are incredibly proud of our first graduates who have joined the local midwifery workforce at a time of staff shortages. They have worked very hard in both their academic studies and during clinical placements over the past three years.
“This graduation offers them an opportunity to celebrate their success and reflect on the personal and professional progress they have made as part of our initial cohort.
“They are now, even more so, role models for our current students, having paved the way for all who follow in their footsteps. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they can have upon local maternity services.”
Sue Brent, Head of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University, added: “We are thrilled to celebrate the graduation of our first cohort of midwifery students this January.
“Their hard work and dedication have prepared them to make a significant impact in Midwifery services. We are confident they will bring compassion, skill, and innovation to the field, and we look forward to seeing the positive difference they will make in the lives of families as they progress through their careers.”