Catherine Matthews, Registered Midwife

Professional Experience

I qualified as a Registered Midwife in 2001, following a Diploma in Adult Nursing in 1998. Since then, I have worked exclusively in intrapartum care, with over 20 years of continuous clinical experience. I have held the position of Band 7 Labour Ward Coordinator since 2016 in a large maternity hospital managing 5,000–6,000 births annually. The unit includes both a Consultant-led delivery suite and an alongside midwifery-led unit. I am responsible for coordinating care across both areas and, out of hours, hold overall responsibility for the maternity unit.

My role includes managing clinical risk, prioritising care, and leading the multidisciplinary team in high-pressure situations. I have extensive experience in all aspects of labour and delivery, including inductions, operative births, obstetric emergencies, and escalation of care. I also manage antenatal red flags and postnatal readmissions. The unit is a tertiary neonatal centre, and I regularly care for women from 21 weeks gestation with complex medical, fetal, or obstetric conditions. I also provide care and support in cases of fetal loss and medical termination, including post-mortem consent. I provide clinical leadership and guidance to a team of midwives with varying levels of experience and work closely with obstetric and neonatal colleagues to ensure safe, coordinated care.

Professional Development

I maintain full compliance with mandatory training and have completed the ATTAIN and PERIPrem passports, NEWTT2, and the Baby Lifeline Fetal Monitoring Masterclass. I am trained in K2 fetal monitoring, Dawes Redman CTG interpretation, and re-certified in Neonatal Advanced Life Support (Resuscitation Council, 2025). I have previously delivered PROMPT training and continue to support clinical education. I supervise student midwives, paramedics, and medical students, and act as a preceptor for new staff. I maintain my professional development by attending relevant training.