Jennifer Russell

Qualifications

Diploma of HE Midwifery, LLB Law (Hons), Post Grad Dip Law & Ethics in Healthcare

Specialisms 

• Hospital Midwifery
• Midwife Led Units
• Interpretation of CTGs
• Cannulation

Introduction 

I qualified as a midwife in 2000. Throughout my career I have worked predominantly in the hospital setting and mainly in intrapartum care. 

I have been a Rotational Midwife, a Triage Midwife, a Delivery Suite Core Midwife, an Enhanced Midwife Practitioner and for the largest part of my career to date, I was a Delivery Suite Coordinator. This exposed me to a high volume of low risk and complex intrapartum care as well as women who were very unwell during both the ante and post-natal periods. I have a vast amount of experience in managing obstetric emergencies such as shoulder dystocia, ante/intra and post-partum haemorrhage, maternal and/or neonatal collapse, breech births and eclamptic fits. I have also taught these skills drills for many years, on mandatory training days and in situ simulations. I am skilled and experienced in CTG interpretation and have supported the clinical areas in CTG teaching sessions. I consider myself to have a high level of skill and experience and ensured that I maintain my clinical competencies and remain up to date in order to provide high level midwifery care and to support learners in the clinical setting. 

Currently, I work in Patient Safety and undertake rapid reviews and incident investigations; generating the reports on completion. I undertake complaint investigations and generate responses and regularly meet with women and families to feed back about the findings and any actions put in place to address care or service delivery issues. I am also working as a Professional Midwife Advocate for my Trust as well as a Specialist Advisor for the Care Quality Commission. I work closely with the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) to ensure appropriate referrals and liaise with them during the investigation process.

As a clinician I perform perineal suturing, epidural top ups, IV Drug administrations, Obstetric Theatre Scrubbing, IV Cannulation. I have previously undertaken Kiwi ventouse deliveries, fetal blood sampling, chest auscultation (adult) and ECGs. Due to working in large, busy units that provide high levels of maternity and neonatal care, I have been exposed to a broad spectrum of pregnancy complications such as diabetes, genetic conditions, hypertension, blood borne infections, renal problems, amongst others. 

Prior to my midwifery training I completed a Law degree and since qualifying as a midwife I have undertaken a Post Graduate Diploma in Law and Ethics in Healthcare. In my current role I am regularly involved with the litigation team at both our Trust as well as NHS Resolution and am actively involved in litigation's summits, pre inquest meetings and attend Coroner’s Court to support both families and staff. 

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.