From Keele to the Caribbean – team of lecturers visit Montserrat to help nurses and midwives upskill
A team of nursing and midwifery colleagues from Keele University have returned from a visit to the Caribbean island of Montserrat after delivering training to healthcare workers there.
The training was designed as part of a pioneering partnership between Keele University, NHS England, and the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Montserrat, announced in 2023 to strengthen nursing and midwifery education and improve clinical practice within the island’s healthcare system.
Dr Nicky Witton, Dr Cathy Greene, Sarah Lewis (Lead Midwife for Education), Jodie Preston and Nicola Grocott from Keele’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, recently spent ten days on the island facilitating training to nurses and midwives, including a series of online webinars ahead of the visit and on-site clinical skills and simulation training.
The sessions were designed to enhance the nurses and midwives’ clinical and technical skills, as well as their assessment and recognition of deteriorating patients and provision of acute care.
The healthcare workforce of less than 40 were all able to attend the training, with the Ministry saying this collaboration with Keele forms part of its broader strategy to build capacity and improve the quality of healthcare delivery across the island.
They added that further discussions are already underway to develop additional training and academic programmes aimed at strengthening the healthcare workforce in Montserrat.
The team had the opportunity to visit the hospital and community services, observing in practice many of those who were attending the education programme, with healthcare workers adopting new ways of working in some aspects of care almost immediately.
Dr Witton also had the opportunity to meet with Governor Harriet Cross to highlight the potential impact for the healthcare team and islanders of this collaboration.
Dr Witton said: “It was a real honour to be part of this visit. The commitment from those who attended the sessions was inspiring, particularly because so many healthcare workers attended and especially given the size of the workforce and the need to continue delivering healthcare alongside their training. We are proud to partner with the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Montserrat.”
Ms Violet Brown; Director of Nursing in the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Montserrat, added: “This training programme is a valuable opportunity for our nurses to enhance their hands-on clinical skills, deepen their knowledge and continue growing professionally.
“The partnership with Keele University and the NHS brings a wealth of expertise and experience that will undoubtedly strengthen our health system. It reaffirms our commitment to delivering comprehensive, patient-centred care across all Health Centres and the Glendon Hospital.”
