Joanne Gorman, Registered Midwife

Professional Experience

Since qualifying as a midwife in 2008, I have worked exclusively in hospital-based maternity services, specialising in the care of high-risk pregnancies. My current role spans labour, antenatal, and postnatal wards, including induction of labour and maternity triage. I am proficient in interpreting cardiotocography (CTG) and escalating concerns appropriately. I routinely manage cases involving epidural analgesia, gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia, working closely with obstetricians, anaesthetists, and paediatricians.

I have extensive experience in obstetric theatre, regularly scrubbing for instrumental deliveries and both elective and emergency Caesarean sections. I am responsible for maintaining aseptic technique and ensuring accurate counts of instruments, swabs, and sharps. My clinical skills include perineal suturing, venous cannulation, and venepuncture. I also care for high-risk neonates, including those requiring phototherapy, feeding support, or enhanced observation. In addition to clinical duties, I allocate staff, oversee ward operations, and mentor junior colleagues and student midwives.

Professional Development

I have held leadership roles focused on safety and equity within maternity services. As Safety Lead Midwife during a five-month secondment, I supported the implementation of national safety initiatives, including the Saving Babies’ Lives care bundle and recommendations from the Ockenden report. This involved auditing patient records, delivering evidence-based training, and facilitating multidisciplinary engagement.

For twelve months, I served as the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Lead Midwife. I represented maternity services at Trust-wide EDI meetings and disseminated updates to departmental teams. I supported staff from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those with long-term health conditions, including neurodiversity. I also contributed to efforts aimed at reducing disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes for BAME women and their babies. My public health interests include smoking cessation, contraceptive counselling, and breastfeeding support.