Lead Midwife Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 03 October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £55,690 - £62,682 per annum |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 02 November 2025 |
| Location: | Bedford, MK42 9DJ |
| Company: | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 7493466/418-MID3466-CW |
Summary
Significant inequalities in maternity outcomes persist in the UK, particularly for women from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, who face higher risks of stillbirth and neonatal death. These disparities are caused by multiple factors, but evidence shows that current service provision contributes to poorer outcomes.
Barriers such as language, cultural misunderstandings, and lack of trust in services can delay access to care. Stillbirth rates in these groups are twice as high, and neonatal death rates are 45% higher than among White women.
The Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (EDI) Lead will assess staff training needs to ensure discussions around race and culture are handled sensitively and appropriately. They will work closely with diverse and vulnerable groups to build trust, dispel misconceptions, and ensure that all women feel safe and supported in accessing maternity care.
This role will also take a lead in developing and delivering an EDI framework across the Trust, promoting an inclusive environment for all staff, patients, and families. The EDI Lead will support the Trust’s commitment to equitable, high-quality care and improving outcomes for all.
· Provide a service that women and families from culturally diverse and vulnerable backgrounds can access to reduce the risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality.
· Provide training to staff, and institutions around cultural awareness, tackling difficult conversations.
· Provide assurance that in line with saving babies lives there will be a concerted effort to reduce morbidity and mortality.
· In conjunction with community, religious leaders, MVP's LMNS ensure advocacy for women.
· Ensure there is a clear vision with specific goals to support and that a Framework is in place to monitor and evaluate the framework to ensure that it remains aligned with the Trust's values and is consistent with wider NHS expectations.
· Be the subject matter expert and will provide specialist guidance as required.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
· Develop and manage the implementation and delivery of the pilot ensuring that the service gaps are identified, and systems and process are out in place to address these.
· Working with key stakeholders to influence change in policies, practices and provision that disproportionately disadvantage people according to their sex, race, religion or belief, disability or any other protected characteristics.
· Undertake comprehensive audit and research and work alongside of diverse cultures women with a wide variety of physical and emotional needs to provide a holistic approach to their care.
· To act as a champion for patients and their interests and involve the public and patients in the policy development and decision-making.
· To ensure all public and patient contact is of the highest professional standard and ensure that the dialogue between staff and service users is at all levels of decision making.
· Engage with Consultants, community leaders, MVP's and the midwifery service, to maximise referrals and ensure that there is a robust referral pathway to women accessing care.
This advert closes on Friday 17 Oct 2025