Kathy Murphy, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Saint Mary’s, has been awarded for showing strong leadership by introducing new services in the region and leading to greater equity in care provision for women.
Kathy, who has more than 40 years’ experience in the NHS, took home the Excellence in Midwifery for Leadership Award during the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) awards ceremony held in London on 18 October.
She has brought together the largest maternity service in the UK, employing 820 midwives and supporting the births of 16,500 babies each year, across all three maternity units ran by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).
In response to the current climate within maternity services, she identified six key areas of development for the Heads of Midwifery and Directors of Midwifery. Her programme has led the way for senior midwifery leaders within the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) to network and forge strong connections and professional working relationships which, in turn, have strengthened the maternity system in the region.
At the awards ceremony, the RCM’s Chief Executive, Gill Walton, said: “Kathy has demonstrated commitment and lifelong learning to midwifery since 1987. Throughout her career, she has consistently committed to personal growth and development and demonstrated a passion for quality and innovation, spanning both nursing and midwifery professions.
“An example of this was her involvement in the production of a book on midwifery for pupils in schools to encourage year eight and nine students from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to enter the midwifery profession. She recognised that research had shown that midwives from a similar heritage to the women they care for can improve patient experience in hospital and lead to safer births. She is such a passionate, committed and supportive leader who inspires others to provide high quality and safe maternity care.”
Kathy said: “It is an honour to be recognised by Royal College of Midwives at this year’s award ceremony. Healthcare has changed so much since I began my career over 40 years ago and, particularly in midwifery, you must be invested in upcoming research and new ways of working.
“At MFT, we ensure that we continue to have improved outcomes for our women and babies, and I have worked with so many amazing people over the years who have helped to make this possible.
“Thank you to my maternity colleagues across all three of our maternity units, on Oxford Road in central Manchester, Wythenshawe Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital for all your determination and support”.