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This module will introduce you to the professional issues which underpin midwifery practice. Core skills such as literature searching, using this in your writing and applying this knowledge to practice will be introduced which will facilitate your personal and professional development. You will be introduced to the frameworks that will guide your practice as a midwife, including the professional, legal and ethical codes of practice. You will learn the key principles of values based and women-centred care all of which will be presented in the context of The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (NMC, 2018).
The module content reflects the structure of the Code and covers the principles of:

Prioritising people:
Responsive, woman-centred communication will be introduced with concepts related to reflexive, inclusive, ethical and legal frameworks. The module will provide you with an opportunity to consider relevant health and social policies. Alongside this, you will explore issues relating to health equality, public protection, and the wellbeing of children and adults. Mental health and the support of third sector agencies are introduced using case studies these will enable you to develop an understanding of and the ability to challenge discriminatory behaviours.

Practising effectively:
Particular focus will be on the construction and quality of knowledge and ways in which you can use evidence appropriately to inform midwifery practice. You will consider communication, therapeutic skills and record keeping in the light of relevant theory and apply this to midwifery care. Information retrieval and writing workshops will support your learning in respect of this.

Preserving safety:
You will examine the role of the midwife as part of a multidisciplinary team giving care to women and their families in relation to: informed consent and the right to decline consent, sphere of practise, referral, candour, acting in emergency situations, managing risk and escalating concerns, midwifery and medicines administration, and harm reduction.

Promoting professionalism and trust:
Through the recognition and development of appropriate professional values and behaviours, you will apply your understanding of their significance in respect of relationships in midwifery care and practice. This will involve understanding professional roles and responsibilities in respect of not only your own practice, but that of others too. You will develop your understanding of resilience skills such as self-reflection and self-awareness in relation to practice. The role of revalidation in midwifery practice will also be explored.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to
LO1: Gain an appreciation of the factors which influence the health and wellbeing of women and their families, including the human rights of women and newborn infants.
LO2: Understand the role and scope of the midwife in the 21st Century, including the importance of protecting the public and the role of the NMC.
LO3: Recognise strategies which support learning for professional practice and apply these in the context of The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (NMC, 2018).
LO4: Develop awareness of collaborative relationships within multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working practice, including the third sector.
LO5: Recognise the ways in which evidence can inform, impact on, and influence midwifery policy and practice.