The Royal College of Midwives has announced the establishment of its second RCM chair of midwifery in the UK. The chair will be held by Professor Helen Cheyne of the University of Stirling.
The first RCM Chair of Midwifery was announced in 2011 at Cardiff University.
Gillian Smith, the RCM’s Director for Scotland, said: “We are delighted to host the second RCM chair of midwifery in Scotland. It is a unique opportunity for Scotland to showcase the excellent research into midwife-led care being done here.”
The new post will be based at the University’s Nursing Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit (a Scottish Government Chief Scientist’s Office funded research unit), where Helen currently leads research in maternal and child health and health care decision-making.
Professor Helen Cheyne said: “I am delighted and honoured to be named as the second RCM Professor of Midwifery. The RCM promotes the wellbeing of mothers and babies through supporting midwives to provide the highest quality of evidence informed care. Working in partnership with the RCM I will support development of research relevant to midwifery practice and the wellbeing of women, as well as the timely implementation of research findings into clinical practice.”
Helen is well known to the RCM, who have collaborated with her and the unit on a number of significant pieces of research.
“Her appointment as RCM chair of midwifery will enhance an already strong relationship with the University of Stirling and the RCM”, added Mrs Smith.
Helen’s research is primarily concerned with decision making in labour as well as maternity service delivery. Working closely with practicing midwives and mothers is a key aspect of all of her research. She is currently leading the Scottish national maternity care survey in partnership with the Scottish Government Patient Experience Programme.
The Royal College of Midwives’ General Secretary and Chief Executive Cathy Warwick, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the RCM now has its second chair of midwifery in the UK. The RCM has a well-developed strategy for promoting midwifery-led research. Our chairs of midwifery posts are integral to achieving this strategy and we look forward very much to working closely with Professor Cheyne and the University of Stirling.”