Leading other midwives: experience of midwife team leaders

The education and support of leaders at the level of ward or team leader is essential to move the government's plan forward for modernizing the NHS. This study considered the experiences of midwifery team leaders in a local community midwifery service in the NHS in England. A critical ethnographical approach was used. In-depth interviews with midwife leaders were the main source of data. Non-participant observation of team meetings and an examination of relevant job descriptions ensured immersion in the culture. Four main interconnected themes emerged: the need to define and understand the leadership role and its remit; the need to develop the person within the role; the concept of having the space and time to meet the requirements of the role; and the need for a career pathway to the role.