Call the midwife! Midwifery students set to benefit from improved facilities

Students studying Midwifery at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) are set to benefit from refurbished and improved teaching facilities on campus.

A ceremony was held in the newly completed Midwifery Clinical Skills room where lecturers, students, and special guest Louise Silverton, director of midwifery at the Royal College of Midwifery, gathered to admire the vastly improved facilities.

As well as a revamped and extended room at DMU’s Hawthorn Building, students will also be able to put their skills to the test with a new birthing pool and a sim-mom, an advanced birthing simulator.

Rachel Wells, senior lecturer in the School of Midwifery, said: “The redevelopment is basically going to bring the students’ learning in line with current clinical practice and in line with the needs of the students.

“Students learn better with simulation and it’s a safe place for them to make mistakes if necessary.”

Louise Silverton, visiting DMU for the first time, was hugely impressed with what she saw. She said:  “I think it’s a really great teaching facility, they should be really proud of what they’ve achieved here.

“The students will gain a lot of confidence from this. There are things that they worry about that they’ve never done before but this gives them a place to practice.

“Practicing is the only way to prepare for when the real event happens.”

Several final year midwifery students were also present at the unveiling of the refurbished clinical skills room, and they all agreed that the development will prove hugely popular with existing and future students.

Rosie Booker said: “It’s nicer and much bigger than what we had before. It’s good to have the pool as normally you don’t get to use or even see one until you actually go into practice.”

Sam Kleban, commenting on the advantages of having access to a birthing pool before entering the hospital, said: “It’s great because when you go into hospital, it won’t be unfamiliar.

“Here you can explore a bit more, take your time and it’s a bit more comfortable rather than being thrown into it on a placement.”

Sarah Price also believes the improved facilities will stand DMU’s midwifery students in good stead and prepare them well for the hospital.

“With clinical skills when you’re on shift you can’t predict what you’re going to get so you really need that experience,” she said.