Heather Innes from Langholm and Jennifer Rendall from Dumfries, pictured above, have been selected for the 2021 Queens Nurse Programme after being nominated as change makers and for making a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing.
Heather’s success was based on her knowledge as a specialist midwife for vulnerable families. She works with the pre-birth team to provide multi-agency care to women and their babies and was instrumental in setting up the community midwifery WINGS team (women individually nurtured grow strength).
She said: “I am hugely passionate about the support we as midwives can offer to women and families who often need our help the most and how we as a service can ensure their voices are heard, whilst striving for high quality and person-centred care.
“To be awarded a place on this prestigious programme is a humbling privilege and I am very excited to meet other like-minded practitioners from across the country and bring home experiences.”
And Jennifer, 38, said the nomination is the biggest honour of her career.
As a senior charge midwife, she enjoys making a difference to the women she cares for and the team she leads and it was noted that she is passionate about enabling a fabulous maternity service for women and always wants to ensure their voices are the centre of all conversations.
She said: “Previous Queens Nurses have described a life changing journey of discovery and development.
“For me the chance to go through this journey, whilst being able to work on a project relating to my passion is a great honour. I am so aware that caring for women during pregnancy and during their birthing experience is a unique experience.
“I will seize this opportunity to ensure the experience for all women and families is at the heart of everything we do.”
Congratulating the pair, head of midwifery Karen King said: “It is with enormous pleasure and pride that these senior charge midwives have been successful in securing a place on the Queens Nursing Institute Scotland programme.
“I am sure this will not only bring benefits for Jenny and Heather, but also for the wider midwifery team and the women and babies of Dumfries and Galloway.
“It is such a pleasure to work with and be part of the journey of these two exceptional midwives who are the leadership for midwifery in Dumfries and Galloway for the future.”
