When I graduated with a BSc in Midwifery from Dundalk Institute of Technology in 2014, Ireland was still in the grip of a financial crisis. The HSE recruitment embargo meant that, for direct-entry midwives, employment opportunities were scarce. In fact, on graduation day we were handed leaflets for the NHS, an unmistakable sign of the challenges ahead.
This early experience shaped my understanding of what it meant to qualify as a direct-entry midwife during that time. After seven years working as a labour ward midwife in the Coombe and Galway University Hospital, I took a leap into management and became a CMM2 in the labour ward at Portiuncula University Hospital in 2021. It was there that I truly found my voice.
Confident in my practice and knowledge, I began to question long-standing processes: Why do we do it this way? Can we do better? Should we be better? When can we change? Supported by an exceptional ADOM and DOM and guided by my MSc in Midwifery Leadership from Trinity College Dublin, I began using audit and quality improvement methodologies to address issues such as the induction-of-labour process through an IOL working group and enhanced staff education.
This work sparked a deeper passion for innovation. I found myself constantly examining systems and imagining what could be improved. In the post-Covid landscape, I felt that midwives were ready to reimagine and redesign care. We had weathered extraordinary challenges together and proven our ability to adapt rapidly and safely.
Identifying a significant gap in digital health, I turned my attention to women’s health technologies. When I transitioned into the role of Maternity OPD Manager, I quickly encountered issues with translation services. Face-to-face interpreters were costly, difficult to schedule, and introduced another person into highly sensitive clinical conversations.
With the support of hospital general management and Spark Innovation Seed funding, I piloted a proof-of-concept project using a translation app within the Maternity OPD. The results were immediate and impactful. Energised by its success, I championed the project across the HSE, eventually connecting the developers with the HSE’s eHealth division, an introduction that has now led to a nation-scale pilot across three clinical sites.
A second successful innovation project, supported by another Spark Seed award in Galway University Hospital, gave me the confidence to take my next big step: applying for the Spark Innovation Fellowship. With experience in frontline innovation and a deep commitment to improving healthcare, particularly for women, I was honoured to be selected. I began my National Nursing and Midwifery Innovation Fellowship with the Spark Innovation Programme in July of this year.
The past four months have been transformative. I have had the privilege of supporting nurses and midwives across Ireland as they take their first steps into innovation. I have mentored colleagues, encouraged them to pursue their ideas, and contributed to national discussions on digital transformation within nursing and midwifery.
For someone who once almost followed that NHS leaflet across the Irish Sea, I now feel that my opportunities are limitless. My journey as a direct-entry midwife has grown into a career defined by curiosity, courage, and a belief in better.
I truly believe the world is mine for the taking, and I cannot wait to continue representing midwifery every step of the way.
The Spark Innovation Programme is a frontline, staff-led initiative that seeks to support, promote and recognise innovation amongst healthcare staff. Spark is about shared learning and creating an empowering work environment for healthcare professionals to bring their creativity, imagination, problem solving skills, love of design, and passion for the wellbeing of patients/women.
