New RCM President inaugurated

8th Jun 2017

A consultant midwife from Birmingham has been elected by the members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) as their next President.

Kathryn Gutteridge will replace Professor Lesley Page who has been in place as the RCM’s President since 2012.

Kathryn was formally inaugurated at the RCM’s 19th  Annual Zepherina Veitch Lecture which took place on the 6th of June in Oxford and is currently a Consultant Midwife and Clinical Lead for Low Risk Women at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS trust.

Kathryn is an established Consultant Midwife with a long history of clinical care in the NHS and has also worked in many diverse settings including neonatal services and community midwifery care.

Passionate about women’s issues and particularly in relation to childbearing, Kathryn has a reputation for representing women’s psychological and mental wellbeing during this vulnerable stage of their lives.

Kathryn is an experienced author and presenter on both a national and international circuit, specialising in emotional wellbeing during childbirth and women maintaining control over their choices.

Commenting on her appointment as RCM’s new President, Kathryn Gutteridge said; “I am so thrilled that I have been elected as the next president of the RCM, I cannot think of a more honourable position to take up than this.

“I see this opportunity as a prestigious gift to work closely with midwives and maternity support workers as we face the future changes in maternity care. I believe that we have tremendous influence upon the lives of women and their families as they make that leap of faith in welcoming their new baby into their lives.

“I feel strongly that women look to us for guidance and support during their childbearing experiences and how we work with them at this time will influence the kind of parents they become.

I am also so thankful for the wonderful leadership and presence of our dear Professor Lesley Page; she has been a true ambassador for our profession.”

 Kathryn  Gutteridge’s full Biography is available to read here: https://www.rcm.org.uk/kathryn-gutteridge

For more information on the role of the RCM’s President click here: https://www.rcm.org.uk/rcm-president-announcement-2017

 To contact the RCM Press Office call 020 7312 3456 or email pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.

Ends

Notes to editors

The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.

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