Integrated Midwife
Lochaber Integrated Midwifery Team is seeking an enthusiastic midwife to join a small, friendly local team in a beautiful part of the country. This post is offered on a fixed-term/secondment basis until December 2026, with potential for a short extension.
About the role
An ideal opportunity to gain experience in remote and rural midwifery practice within Lochaber, in the West Highlands of Scotland. The area covers a large geographical region of outstanding natural beauty, stretching from the southern end of Loch Ness to Glencoe and west to the Ardnamurchan peninsula and coast, including the isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck, and Canna. Known as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK,’ the region offers world-class outdoor pursuits such as mountain biking, hillwalking, climbing, coastal activities, and winter sports.
The total population of the area is around 20,000, with Fort William (population 10,000) as the main town, alongside smaller towns and villages like Mallaig, Kinlochleven, Spean Bridge, and Fort Augustus.
The Lochaber midwifery team, based in Fort William, provides caseload midwifery care to approximately 200 pregnant women annually, offering continuity of care. Birth options include the Midwifery Unit at Belford Hospital or home birth for women under primary midwife-led care. For complex cases or neonatal care, the team collaborates closely with NHS Highland Obstetric, Midwifery, and Neonatal teams at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness (approximately 67 miles away). The team operates flexibly to provide a 24/7 service, including on-call commitments.
Responsibilities
- Provide midwife-led care as an autonomous practitioner in a remote and rural setting.
- Deliver continuity of care to a caseload of pregnant women.
- Support births within the Midwifery Unit at Belford Hospital or at home for eligible women.
- Collaborate with NHS Highland teams for complex cases or neonatal care.
- Participate in on-call duties to ensure a 24/7 service.
- Travel between various work locations to meet service requirements.
Requirements
- NMC registration.
- Ideally educated to degree level or with relevant clinical experience.
- Proficiency in Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) is advantageous.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Current valid UK driving licence.
Benefits
- Opportunity to develop skills in remote and rural midwifery practice.
- Experience in a scenic and culturally rich region with diverse outdoor activities.
- Supportive and collaborative team environment.
Informal enquiries: Juliet Evans, 01397 700371, juliet.evans@nhs.scot.
For secondment applications, complete the secondment consent form and return it to nhsh.resourcing@nhs.scot alongside your full application.