Retaining valued midwives

In a Delphi study of 42 experienced midwives at an NHS Trust in south-east England, it was established that leadership issues were at the centre of what encouraged practitioners to continue in post. Central to midwives' interest was the equitable management of off-duty/leave arrangements, opportunities to influence practice and protocol decision-making, feeling stimulated, valued and challenged as a practitioner, receiving professional development support and working with senior midwives who proved effective role models. Beyond reward opportunities associated with Agenda for Change or other initiatives, it is argued that midwifery managers have a key opportunity to influence the employment experience of midwives and enhance retention of staff by actively engaging in the above activities.