Congratulating our accredited Professional Advocates across Midwifery and Nursing
The Professional Midwifery and Nursing Advocacy (PMA and PNA) scheme is a large part of how our Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital promotes restorative clinical support for our colleagues. We believe that we must take care of our colleagues, so that they can go on to take care of their patients. The Professional Midwifery Advocacy (PMA) scheme is a national programme which replaced clinical supervision and uses the A-EQUP model (Advocating for Education and Quality Improvement).
The Professional Nursing Advocacy scheme was introduced in 2021 by Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England and an Executive/National Director at NHS England and NHS Improvement, following Covid-19, to support restoration of our nurses and reduce burnout and low morale amongst colleagues.
We’re excited to announce that our very own BWC colleagues have been taking part in the PMA and PNA scheme, completing their level-7 accredited Master’s courses at university over the span of 10 days to gain the role of PNA or PMA. We now have a growing number of PNA and PMA’s across BWC.
Heather Petts, Associate Director of Nursing (Medicine) and Professional Nursing Advocate Lead said: “A huge congratulations to all of our newly qualified PMA and PNA colleagues who have completed their level-7 accreditations, earning their new titles. Your advocacy for care and quality improvement is inspiring and we really value the commitment you have made to providing wider restorative clinical support to your colleagues. The course and dedication to the schemes really equip you with the skills you need for better supporting and empowering your colleagues, as well as enhancing your professional development and leadership journey.”
Michelle Wakelin, one of our PNA’s said: “The wellbeing of our nursing teams is integral – providing personal support alongside clinical education really helps us to ensure our colleagues are feeling happy and cared for. With the cost-of-living crisis amongst other challenges outside and inside of work, we understand that sometimes we all can use wellbeing support to allow us to feel less stressed and more confident in carrying out our roles. Using the AEQUIP Model, we’re empowering our colleagues through education and pastoral support – reassuring them that they are so important and valuable to BWC.”
Becoming a nursing and midwifery advocate will help our colleagues to build a safe space where nurses and midwives can approach their advocate (in groups of up to 10 or through a one-to-one conversation) for pastoral support and career development mentoring. We’re excited to be empowering the next generation of nurses and midwives through the professional advocacy schemes.
Gemma Price, our PMA lead said: “A lot can be solved by simply talking things through in a non-judgmental, safe and open way – this could be over a one to one or in a group session to work through problems using appreciative enquiry. We work alongside the clinical educators who can provide you with professional and clinical assistance, and our PMA team are on hand to support with midwifery challenges and personal obstacles, reinforcing positive thinking, realistic planning and work-life balance.”
Want to learn more? Read about our different schemes below:
Professional Midwifery Advocacy