Episode 1: Leading Change; How Midwives Are Shaping Governance

Welcome to Episode 1 of our new 10-part MAMA Podcast series created for healthcare professionals working in maternity and neonatal care.In this first episode, our CEO Heidi Eldridge is joined by Dalvir Kandola, Consultant Midwife and Lead for Inclusivity, and Nursing Times Midwife of the Year 2025. Dalvir shares what leadership looks like in practice, how consultant midwifery creates space for deep, sustained improvement, and why meaningful change needs more than “an email and a poster”.

Together, they explore:
• The difference between leadership and management in maternity services
• How to bring teams with you, reduce resistance, and build allies
• What it takes to implement and sustain change (and why education alone isn’t enough)
• Health literacy, inclusive communication, and reducing barriers for families
• Anti-racism work in practice and why equity must be part of safety
• How staff can raise concerns safely, including routes like Freedom to Speak Up and PMA themes
• Practical examples of change, from vitamin D and iron pathways to improving identification of jaundice in Black and Brown babies
• How tools like the MAMA Wellbeing Wallet can support consistent messaging and access to care

This series is proudly sponsored by Fletchers Solicitors, supporting our shared commitment to safer, more equitable maternity and neonatal care. Find out more about Fletchers Solicitors here: https://www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk/

Subscribe to The MAMA Podcast to make sure you don’t miss the next episode in the series.

If you’d like to find out more about MAMA Academy and our resources, visit:
www.mamaacademy.org.uk