Leaving the NHS

So yesterday marked my last shift in the NHS, quite a monumental moment in history for little old me. I started my midwifery career back in 2006 when i started at Northumbria University in Newcastle, as a brand new direct entry Student Midwife at the grand age of 27. I qualified as a Registered Midwife in the January of 2010 where my work career with the NHS began.

I have spent the last 11 years working in obstetric units in the North East of England and have experienced a wide range of experiences in them all, some amazing some not so much. From October 2012 until Yesterday I had worked as a Community Midwife, much of where my heart lies and always will. The comparables of working in a fast pace medicalised maternity unit compared to the stark contrast of community working is just immense.

I feel there is much more sense of being an autonomous practitioner in the community and more fulfilling relationships with women and their families. Continuity is not always achievable due to high numbers of caseloads and various other constraints.

Working as an Independent Midwife was bourne from frustration of working within current models of care in our NHS maternity services and not being able to always give the care i wanted to, the care that women want, deserve and need. I wanted a better work life balance with more flexibility and ultimately be able to offer complete continuity of care.

It certainly hasn't been an easy decision or a quick one but it is one that I know in my heart is the right one. My passion for midwifery has reignited and I have a new fire in my belly for delivering maternity care independent of the NHS.

So here we are...I have bid farewell to my NHS colleagues and about to start my new venture. Although it was an emotional day yesterday I have no regrets. I will always be very fond of our amazing NHS and my amazing colleagues who often work tirelessly, going above and beyond to deliver excellent care for very little recognition. I too was one.