First ever Isle of Man-trained midwife qualifies

'Century-long dream' realised as Jess Roberts completes training

A hundred years after a call was made in Tynwald for the Island to train its own midwives a local woman has completed her practical education with Manx Care.

Jess Roberts travelled to Salford University for the academic elements of the course but all her hands-on training took place on the Island.

The historic landmark has come about in part through the efforts of the university's midwifery lecturer, Jean Mason-Mitchell, and head of midwifery Barbara Roberts. 

Their vision to revive on-Island training was finally progressed with support from Manx Care and the Department of Health and Social Care.

It's almost exactly 100 years since a request was made to Tynwald for £2,000 to fund the building of a maternity home and school for the training of midwives.

The maternity home eventually opened in 1927, but with no funding or training facility.

Isle of Man Midwives have a long association with the University of Salford, where many of them travelled for training. 

For Jess though the ability to complete much of her course on Island has been a 'fantastic' experience. 

She says: "I felt so lucky to have my placement on the Isle of Man – it was a very personal experience, where I’ve been able to get to know the people I care for – I’ve had new mums stop me when I’m out shopping to say hello!

"I have felt so supported and been able to gain experience really quickly as we’re a small unit. It was hard having to travel to Salford for parts of the course, but the university were really supportive, and knowing I could come home for my placement was fantastic. 

"My transition to being a newly qualified midwife has been much easier too, I know the unit and all my colleagues so well already."

Jean Mason-Mitchel says: "Giving Manx students the opportunity to train on the island means people now have the chance to pursue a career which may not have been possible for them previously. 

"For example, two students with children have been able to start their midwifery studies through this programme – something that they could never have done before.

"We’re so proud that the University of Salford has been able to partner with the Isle of Man team and support them in achieving this century-long dream of training their own midwives on the island."