Formal NHS Scotland partner InnoScot Health is joining others around the world in celebrating International Day of the Midwife this Sunday (5 May) and supporting its innovation-led sustainability message

This annual opportunity to highlight the enormous contribution made by midwives every day is an important one – and this year, the day’s theme of ‘Midwives: A vital climate solution’ is considered more vital than ever by organisers The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM).

Head of Innovation at InnoScot Health, Robert Rea said: “As essential care providers for women and children, midwives are well placed to play a leading role in designing and developing greener, more resilient health systems across Scotland.

“During this key period of healthcare renewal and transformation, striving for the NHS Scotland net zero target for 2040 must underpin innovation drives, and midwives represent key agents of change in helping to achieve that when given the right support.

“Their knowledge and insight can be instrumental in adapting health systems, lowering emissions, empowering women, and in turn positively impacting the health of mothers and babies.”

ICM believes that with the help, drive and passion of midwives, maternity support workers, and student midwives, more sustainable healthcare solutions can be identified and developed which are “capable of withstanding the worst impacts of climate change”.

It insists that “putting resources and efforts into addressing the climate crisis is a matter of extreme urgency”.

International Day of the Midwife unites two of InnoScot Health’s innovation calls to the NHS Scotland workforce – sustainability and pregnancy and perinatal – which both aim to inspire and encourage fresh ideas, supported by over 20 years of experience in delivering collaborative, progressive health service breakthroughs.

The sustainability call seeks trailblazing health and social care professionals who can help support NHS Scotland to adapt, develop and strengthen in response to climate change, recognising that the behaviours of NHS Scotland’s 160,000-strong workforce will influence how the service mitigates its impacts.

The pregnancy and perinatal call meanwhile aims to improve the outcomes of maternity and neonatal care for all women, babies, and families while placing more focus on mental health and inequalities in an area with vast opportunity for innovative new approaches.

Staff with innovative healthcare ideas in both areas are encouraged by InnoScot Health to book a consultation or submit their idea.

Innovation Manager Frances Ramsay continued: “International Day of the Midwife is a timely reminder of just how impactful midwives are each and every day, but also when given an opportunity to push for positive change.

“When empowered to innovate, they can be both part of the climate solution by becoming advocates of action for reducing medical waste and emissions, as well as facilitators helping to identify opportunities for narrowing the gender gap in healthcare – improving how the service provides the right care for every woman and baby, while giving all children the best possible start in life.

“They are also essential champions for improving sexual and reproductive health, not to mention accessible NHS workers who are responsive to the needs of communities.”

To help encourage idea submissions, an InnoScot Health package for NHS Scotland staff includes support up to the value of £25k for initial seed funding, regulatory support, project management, and the extensive innovation expertise of our highly experienced team.