Mayes' Midwifery

Gail Johnson began her career in nursing and has been a midwife for more than 30 years. In her midwifery practice Gail worked largely in the community with a focus on normality before moving into midwifery education. Gail's current role is as a professional advisor in education at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). She is responsible for the delivery of continuing professional development (CPD) activities for midwives across the UK and overseas. As part of this role Gail has designed and delivered a number of successful large conferences for midwives, including the RCM Legal birth conference and the Bereavement conference. The model for these events has been rolled out across the UK. Gail is also the professional lead on the RCM e-learning initiative, i-learn. The success of the online learning has seen the content increase with over 80 courses available with new content online throughout the year. In addition Gail has worked with the RCM's Chief Executive Professor Cathy Warwick in advising the NHS Leadership Academy on leadership challenges for midwives and nurses, attending a number of development meetings. Her leadership work has enabled her to work closely with midwives at all levels and recently worked with colleagues to design and deliver multidisciplinary workshops for labour ward leaders, addressing the challenges and cultures of maternity service. She also provides advice and consultancy to a number of external agencies both at national and international level on issues which impact on wider health or public health issues. For examples she is the designated lead on stillbirth and bereavement care and works with the Department of Health (England) and Sands (UK) on the role of maternity services in reducing stillbirth and improving bereavement care. In supporting midwives and representing the midwifery profession Gail is frequently asked to speak to the press and media on midwifery, maternity and women's health issues.

Part 1: The midwife in context

Part 2: Childbirth in context

Part 3: Public health, health promotion in the context of childbirth

Part 4: The anatomy and physiology of fertility, embryology and fetal development

Part 5: Pregnancy

Part 6: Labour and birth

Part 7: Postnatal care and the care of the newborn baby

Part 8: Women and babies with complex needs