University of Sunderland: first midwife graduates enter NHS

The University of Sunderland has announced that 92 per cent of its BA (Hons) Midwifery Practice graduates are now delivering care within NHS trusts across the North East.

Graduates from the programme, who enrolled in 2022, are working with families across South Tyneside and Sunderland, Newcastle, County Durham and Darlington, North Tees and Hartlepool, and Northumbria Healthcare.

Nicola Bamling, a graduate now working at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Graduating as a newly qualified midwife fills me with a deep sense of pride and gratitude.

University of Sunderland’s Winter Graduations ceremony (Image: David James Wood)

"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 the midwife that this journey has shaped me to be."

Claire Harrison, another member of the first graduating class, is now based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary at the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

University of Sunderland’s Winter Graduations ceremony The Fire Station in Sunderland (Image: David James Wood)

Ms Harrison 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."

Jane Anderson, director of midwifery at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, welcomed the university’s first cohort to the profession.

Ms Anderson 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."

The University of Sunderland offers a range of healthcare-related courses, including Medicine, Nursing and Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care to help address the skills gap within the NHS.

Sue Brent, head of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, said: "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."

For those interested in studying Midwifery Practice at the University of Sunderland, more information is available the university website.