Midwifery (3 year) BSc (Hons)

Modules

Methods of assessment for course overall: 62% coursework

• Introduction to life sciences
  This module introduces the functioning of the human body. It focuses on macro-systems, considering structure and function of all systems at a preliminary level to equip nursing/midwifery students with necessary underpinning knowledge to inform first year nursing/midwifery practice. You will be introduced to essential concepts such as organisation of the body, homeostasis, anatomy and physiology. Emphasis at this stage is on breadth of knowledge. You are supported in your learning with extensive use of tools such as e-learning, workbooks and key lectures.
• Foundation skills in midwifery
  The module introduces the core skills in preparation for entering the practice learning environment. Core clinical skills, professional behaviour and effective communication skills will be developed to underpin safe midwifery practice. Using safe, simulated environments, blended learning and independent learning opportunities, you will be supported to integrate knowledge, practical ability and professional attitudes in promoting quality midwifery care.
• Introduction to psycho-social perspectives of childbearing and childbirth
  This module introduces sociological and psychological theories as a foundation for understanding people's behaviour and experiences, within the context of normal pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. Antonovsky's salutogenic model will be introduced and developed as a model for understanding maternal health and well-being. The emerging public health role of the midwife is introduced. As a public health topic, an introduction to the importance of breastfeeding is examined.
• Understanding the art and science of midwifery
  This module develops an applied understanding of the anatomy and physiology relevant to the pre-conception, pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. This module prepares you for the role of the midwife throughout pre-conception, pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.
• Practice-based assessment 1
  This is a work-based learning module where students will be given academic credit for clinical practice and the safe and successful achievement of NMC midwifery proficiencies in practice. This will be supervised and facilitated by the clinical sign off mentor and personal tutor. You are required to present two reflective accounts, one formative and one summative, demonstrating how care was delivered safely and appropriately within the context of the theoretical modules studied.
• Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding
  This is a work-based/practice module gives credit for clinical practice. The module will enable you to critique the many facets that impact upon successful breastfeeding. The module supports the principles and practice standards of the Baby Friendly Initiative. You are expected to gain knowledge, skills and understanding required to support parents who wish to breastfeed and to consider how the wider social and cultural context impacts upon this choice.

• Midwifery care of the compromised neonate
  This module prepares you for your role in supporting women, their partners and families when complications arise in the fetus and neonate. Developmental and nutritional needs of the neonate will be explored. Provision of midwifery care will include skills required for supporting transitional care, special and high dependency care of the compromised neonate. Application of best available evidence to practice will be reinforced to enhance provision of care.
• Midwifery pharmacology and medicine management
  This module will develop the principles of pharmacology. It will explore a variety of legal, professional and ethical issues relating to midwives and medicines management.
• Practice-based assessment 2
  This is a work-based module focusing upon women-centred care, client management and autonomous thinking. You will demonstrate the application of management concepts and skills. You will explore a variety of issues covering any aspect of midwifery care. The module will focus on the empowerment of women through evidence based practice including the promotion of normality, infant feeding focusing on breast feeding, professional, legal and ethical issues. You will be encouraged to develop your own skills in managing individual cases/caseloads under the direction of a clinical sign off mentor supported by the lecturer practitioner.
• Public health role of the midwife
  This module will support the consolidation of knowledge, skills and attitudes required for contemporary midwifery practice. It will further enhance the development of skills to promote and protect health and well-being in individuals, communities and populations. You will develop an informed understanding of the public health role of the midwife.
• Research methods and use of evidence
  This module will introduce you to the diverse and innovative approaches to research methodologies through which you will gain knowledge and understanding of the central place of research in nursing/midwifery practice. The module will equip you with the knowledge to draw on research and research methodologies in order to locate, review and evaluate research findings to enhance evidence- based practice across all fields of nursing. The module content has been systematically designed to enable you develop analytical skills to further deepen your knowledge and improve your practice. Delivery of the module will combine classroom sessions with group seminar activities and electronic activities on blackboard.
• A framework to support transparency in practice
  This module utilises the supportive framework of statutory supervision, clinical governance and law and ethics in order promote transparency in clinical practice, thereby protecting the public. Statutory supervision of midwives, clinical governance issues and key related issues such as the place of practice protocols, NICE guidelines, NMC and NHS Trust guidelines, records, record keeping will be examined. The three themes of personal, academic and professional development are nurtured through the exploration of current debates regarding practice. You are encouraged to critique the literature and promote evidence based practice.

• Leadership, managing and empowering in midwifery
  This module provides the theoretical underpinnings of leadership and management within a midwifery context. This enables you to recognise the importance of leadership and management in the planning and provision of care within maternity services. You will be supported to apply professional, ethical and legal aspects of care in the empowerment of staff and clients/mothers/families. The provision of midwifery care using case load models will be evaluated.
• Clinical emergency management in maternity care
  This module will focus on selected problems which are classified as acute obstetric emergencies. Situations which challenge Antonovsky's theories of childbirth as a physiologically normal event will be explored. This module will review the evidence base and models of care in response to maternal critical care needs.
• Independent study
  The module provides a learning environment in which you are empowered to reflect on knowledge and competences for safe and effective practice, critically review clinical practice through enquiry based learning. This will take the form of a systematic literature review of three articles on a specific area of maternity health care practice chosen by you and justified in your rationale.
• Practice-based assessment 3
  This is a work-based module focusing upon women-centred care and client individual/group management. You will demonstrate the application of management concepts and skills in an autonomous manner. You should explore a variety of issues covering any aspect of midwifery care. The module will focus on the empowerment of women through evidence based practice and will include priorities of care, the promotion of normality, infant feeding particularly breast feeding, professional, legal and ethical issues. You will be encouraged to develop your own skills in managing individual cases/caseloads and liaising with the multi-professional team under the direction of a clinical mentor and the lecturer practitioner.
• Complex needs in childbirth
  This module will develop the ability to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate care for women with complex needs. The module provides an in-depth understanding of the range of complex factors which can potentially affect the health and well-being of the mother during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.
• Normal midwifery practice
  This module has been designed to explore the: physical, psychological, cultural and socio-economic factors that influence normality in midwifery, from the perspective of: the woman, the midwife, the organisation, the political agenda, policy and professional guidance. The module provides a consolidation and reflection on the role of the midwife in providing normal midwifery care.