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Published 03/03/26
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) was proud to attend this year’s St David’s Day conference hosted by RCM Cymru, the Wales branch of the Royal College of Midwives. The event provided an important platform to celebrate Welsh midwifery and to explore key issues shaping the profession across Wales.
A part of the conference was a panel discussion chaired by Dr Nia Cole Jones, Head of Mwy Na Geiriau and Welsh Language Unit at HEIW, focusing on the importance of the Welsh language in midwifery practice. The session explored how language is not only a cultural asset but also a vital component of safe and compassionate clinical care.
Dr Cole Jones emphasised that the ability to communicate in Welsh can play a crucial role in ensuring women and families feel comfortable, understood and supported during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period. She highlighted that language is closely linked to dignity, informed consent and building trusting relationships – all central to high-quality maternity care.
Joining the panel was Donna James, Clinical Lead Multiprofessional Research and Innovation at HEIW, who shared her personal experiences of using Welsh with families during the childbirth journey. She spoke about the difference it can make in reducing anxiety, strengthening rapport and creating a more personalised care experience at one of the most significant moments in a family’s life.
The discussion forms part of an ongoing journey of collaboration between HEIW and RCM Cymru to strengthen and develop the Welsh language offer within midwifery education and workforce development. Through partnership working, both organisations are committed to supporting midwives and maternity professionals to develop confidence and skills in using Welsh in clinical settings.
In addition to contributing to the panel, HEIW hosted a dedicated exhibition stall at the conference. The team welcomed midwives, students and healthcare professionals from across Wales, providing information about education and training pathways, workforce initiatives and the organisation’s wider work to support the NHS workforce.
The event offered valuable opportunities to engage directly with the profession, listen to experiences from the frontline and showcase how HEIW is supporting a skilled, compassionate and bilingual workforce for Wales.
HEIW remains committed to working in partnership to ensure that the Welsh language continues to be recognised as an integral part of maternity care, supporting better experiences and outcomes for women and families across Wales.