Angie West

I have over thirty years’ service within the NHS.  Most of that time has been as a practicing clinical midwife. The unit within which I work is a large maternity unit which sees approximately 6000 births a year. The demographic of the women who access the service are a mix of low and high risk pregnancies, births and post-natal care. I have a special interest in high risk midwifery as this enables me to utilise both my nursing and midwifery skills.

In collaboration with the Intensive Care Team at our Trust, my team and I have developed a bespoke High Dependency course to upskill midwives in recognising the deteriorating and ill pregnant women ensuring the planning and delivery of safe and effective care.  I have also been involved in the development of the Maternity ALERT system of assessment which is designed to identify deterioration in ill women. This is in collaboration with the non-maternity ALERT team adapting scenarios to be maternity specific. My team and I regularly offer simulation training focusing on communication, human factors, situational awareness and team building.

I am passionate about the education and development of future midwives and strive to be a gatekeeper of the profession by working with the evidence which underpins best practice, to keep mothers and babies safe.