Books by Sue Macdonald, MSc PGCEA ADM RM RN FETC FRCM (Hon)

Sue has been a midwife for over 30 years, and believes passionately in the contribution that midwives can make to the lives of women, babies and families. This has driven her career path and practice in clinical midwifery, education and research. Sue is is currently undertaking an MPhil/PhD at Middlesex University looking at compassionate care from womens and midwives perspectives. Sue is a midwife and educationalist by background. After qualifying as a nurse at Guy's Hospital, she trained as a midwife and, following a year working in Australia, returned to practice as a midwife in London and in Dorset, working in all areas of maternity services. Sue completed the Advanced Diploma in Midwifery and then moved into midwifery education, completing a Post Graduate Certificate in the Education of Adults. Sue designed the first 'direct entry' midwifery programme in London, based on her own original 'patchwork' design. She was Principal Lecturer and Lead Midwife for Education (LME) at the Middlesex University, London, and developed a range of innovative continuing education courses for midwives from initial degree to Masters level. Sue worked at the Royal College of Midwives for ten years as the research and education manager and LME, and in this role supported key national education initiatives including the RCM examination of the newborn learning module; RCM return to midwifery practice programme, the RCM education strategy 'Valuing Practice' and overseas pre-registration curricula. She managed the PEARLS research project sponsored by the Health Foundation. Her RCM role included acting as a media spokesperson on midwifery and neonatal issues. More recently, Sue has been working as an independent midwife consultant, and has been involved in a major UNICEF programme overseas, has developed and curated a number of major national conferences, and has designed electronic learning materials. She has edited the previous 13th and 14th editions of Mayes Midwifery. She received an Honorary Fellowship from the RCM in June 2014. 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.