The trust in charge of running Nottingham's hospitals has planned a visit to South Africa to help with its midwife shortage. Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) said a trip to the country was planned for January, with the aim of offering 15 positions.
In papers released ahead of a board meeting on Thursday (January 26) the trust, which runs Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital, said the "challenge remains the lack of registered midwives in the pipeline". As part of its efforts to tackle recruitment, NUH said: "The recruitment of international midwives, in a consortium with other East Midlands Trusts, continues. 1 midwife commenced in post and 3 are joining in January 2023.
"A visit to South Africa is planned (January 2023) to recruit international midwives, with the aim of offering 15 posts for a summer 2023 start (subject to robust recruitment processes)." NUH's maternity services are currently subject to a review following dozens of baby deaths and an inadequate rating by the CQC.
Papers add: "International recruitment of fifteen midwives from South Africa, as well as those already in process from overseas to NUH, will be a positive increase in numbers. However an extensive support package to nurture midwives from overseas is essential to keeping attrition as low as possible."
NUH also said it was using an external company to advertise for further midwives. "This will ensure consistent messaging and promotion of the benefits of working at NUH," it added.
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