Gemma McIntyre

Qualifications 

BSc (Hons) Midwifery, MSc Health Studies

Specialisms 

Experienced in all aspects of midwifery & newborn care in community & hospital settings.

Introduction

I am an experienced midwife, educator and maternity investigator. I qualified as a midwife in 2012 and have continued experience in providing antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal and newborn care in all areas of midwifery practice. I have spent time working in the community, antenatal clinic and day unit, antenatal and postnatal wards, labour ward and transitional care. I currently work clinically as a bank midwife; primarily on labour ward, to ensure I maintain both my clinical skills and an awareness of the current midwifery landscape. I am proficient in caring for both low and high risk mothers and babies and confident in clinical skills such as risk assessment, monitoring growth, triage, fetal monitoring including interpretation of cardiotocographs (CTGS), use of oxytocin, escalation, obstetric emergencies, perineal repair and newborn resuscitation.  I am passionate about ensuring I facilitate a high quality, inclusive and safe clinical environment for all families accessing maternity care.

Academically I completed a Master of Science in Health Studies in 2017 which incorporated modules in examination of the newborn (NIPE), mentorship and advanced clinical practice. In 2017 I became a specialist midwife and my role consisted of all aspects of governance, audit and education. During this time I led an education programme and taught skills to midwifery clinicians, which included newborn resuscitation and perineal suturing. In 2018 I completed additional training to become a Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) and commenced a part time PhD focused on family experiences of safety investigations. I currently provide guest lecturer sessions focused on record keeping and professional standards at local universities as a part of their midwifery education programme.

Since 2019 I have been employed as a maternity investigator for the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations programme (previously known as the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch). My role includes conducting independent investigations into maternity incidents which have resulted in significant harm or loss of life, through examination and analysis of medical records and interviewing of key participants to provide written safety reports. I consider my communication and report writing skills to be one of my strongest assets, enhanced by my academic studies and skills in analysing and presenting qualitative and quantitative data to a wide audience in a clear and concise manner. Through this role I have experience of attending inquests and speaking professionally to large groups. 

I have undertaken medico-legal training on the NHSR Early Notification Scheme and I am able to assist with casework of this nature. I accept instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors and insurers. I have undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to expert witnesses.