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They are among the first recruits to graduate from a new Masters in Midwifery course at Queen’s University Belfast, which was designed to enable registered nurses to become fully qualified midwives in two years.

Dr Jen McKenna, Consultant Midwife for the Southern Trust, is delighted to see them take up their post as midwives.

The midwives are familiar to Jen, who previously taught them in her former post as Midwifery Lecturer at QUB. She said: “We’re delighted to have the first cohort of Midwives completing their Midwifery MSc join us as part of the Trust Maternity Care team. It’s fantastic to be able to celebrate their achievement and we welcome them to the Trust.”

Lauren Corrigan, Laura Mason, Jayde McGarvey, Rebecca Currie and Rachel Lappin are among seven new midwives who are among the first recruits to graduate from a new Masters in Midwifery course at Queen’s University Belfast and take up posts within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. Not pictured are Lauren Jardine and Rachel Henning. Credit: Southern Trust

Lauren Corrigan, Laura Mason, Jayde McGarvey, Rebecca Currie, Rachel Lappin, Lauren Jardine and Rachel Henning are all looking forward to getting started.

Jayde from Cookstown, said that she has “always had a pull towards midwifery”.

"Being able to advocate for women and being a part of a new family beginning is an absolute honour," she said.

Lauren who is from Dungannon, said that “it’s such a privilege to look after women and their families at this special time in their lives”.

Dr Jen McKenna (SHSCT Consultant Midwife), Paula Boyle (SHSCT Acting Head of Midwifery) and Katrina McCullough (Clinical Skills Midwife) with five of the seven new midwives in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. Credit: Southern Trust

And Rachel Lappin from Dollingstown added: “Midwifery is not just a profession, but a calling to serve and uplift women during their most vulnerable and powerful moments.”

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Paula Boyle, Interim Head of Midwifery, said it is always great to hear of newly-qualified midwives setting out as registered professionals.

“Midwifery is one of the most rewarding careers you can have. Our midwives play a hugely vital role in caring for the thousands of women, babies and families each year, ensuring families have access to the personalised care and support they need.

The Southern Trust midwifery team are pictured their new colleagues who have taken up posts after completing a two year innovative Midwifery programme. Credit: Southern Trust

“We are proud to welcome these midwives to our team where we will continue to deliver high quality care, enhance job satisfaction and increase the retention of midwives within the Trust.”

All of the midwives are now supporting families in Maternity services across the Trust’s hospital and community midwifery services.

Cookstown nurse Jayde McGarvey says she ‘always had a pull towards midwifery’