Developing an initiative to involve service-users in the recruitment of student midwives

In this fourth article of our Advancing practice education series, a novel initiative regarding the engagement of service-users to student midwife recruitment is outlined. Whilst the NMC mandates service user involvement, it can be challenging to implement. We at Oxford Brookes University introduced an initiative involving group discussions between candidates and service users. Feedback was sought via an evaluation form which 68 candidates and six service users completed. Candidates enjoyed the opportunity to question mothers in an informal group setting, and women felt valued through sharing their stories and making a meaningful contribution to the recruitment process