Recommendation to University Quality Committee

UNIVERSITY QUALITY COMMITTEE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCHOOL QUALITY COMMITTEE 2002 / 2003 (Reference 1023) CONFIRMED Recommendation to University Quality Committee The review and revalidation of an accredited short course, Return To Midwifery Practice was delegated to the School of Health SQC from the School of Education and Health Standing Panel. The SQC is pleased to recommend to University Quality Committee approval of the following proposal: REVALIDATION Short Course: Return To Midwifery Practice Modules: Code Title Credits Semester MI2018 Return to Midwifery Practice (Theory) 15 1/2 MI2019 Return to Midwifery Practice (Practice) 15 1/2 DATE OF THE NEXT REVIEW The next review of Return To Midwifery Practice is scheduled to take place by the end of the 2008/09 academic year. The SQC is aware that the University Quality Committee reserves the right to review all decisions made by the SQC, to ratify approvals and to follow up on any issues identified in the AAR as the Committee sees fit. BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSAL Originally offered as a conjoint programme, this provision has been available as an independent (two module) short programme for the past five years. It is jointly validated by the University of Wolverhampton and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and enables midwives who have not practiced for the equivalent of 100 days (750 hours) in the preceding five years, to satisfy the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Prep Standard. PROCESS Given the increasing confidence in SQCs, it was agreed at the meeting between Professor G Hurd, Ms A Cooper and the Standing Panel Chair, Deputies and Officers (11 th November 2002) that the review and revalidation could be delegated to the School of Health SQC. Following liaison with the NMC, it was agreed that an NMC visitor would attend the SQC meeting scheduled for the 25 th June where the review and revalidation would be formally considered. Prior to this meeting, the 1 of 6

submission documentation was circulated to the NMC visitor, a representative of the Birmingham and Black Country Workforce Confederation, a practice midwife and the external examiner for consideration. The meeting was attended by Shelagh Henegan on behalf of the NMC and Ivy Fellows on behalf of the Confederation. Comments were received from Sue Lees the external examiner on 16 th June and forwarded to the SQC officer for the meeting. A copy of the signed statement of compliance between the University and Confederation confirming sufficient resources in both academic and practice settings was also supplied for the officer. Summary of Process: Date Action/meeting 11/11/02 Meeting with G Hurd and A Cooper to discuss provisional schedule of work. Delegation of Return To Midwifery Practice to SQC approved. 16/06/03 Comments received from External Examiner S Lees 18/06/03 Statement of Compliance signed by UoW and Birmingham and Black Country Workforce Confederation. 25/06/03 Review and revalidation conducted within School of Health SQC meeting. 21/07/03 Letter of response sent to external examiner. CONCLUSIONS Following discussion with the proposers at the revalidation the SQC was entirely satisfied that this short programme should be approved for the next six years. Minor issues raised by the external examiner were dealt with appropriately by the proposer. (Appendix 3) The NMC visitor concluded that the programme more than meets the NMC Prep Standards and commended the team on the extent to which they involved the confederation, clinicians and past students in preparations for the revalidation. Attachments: Appendix 1: Extract from SQC minutes 25/06/03 Appendix 2: External Examiner comments 16/06/03. Appendix 3: Response to External Examiner comments 21/07/03. Signed (SQC Chair)... Date... 2 of 6

APPENDIX ONE: UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON SCHOOL OF HEALTH Draft SCHOOL QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING Minutes of the School of Health SQC meeting held on Wednesday 25 th June 2003 at 1.00 pm in WT109, Walsall Campus. 437. Review and Revalidation Return To Midwifery Practice The Chair welcomed Shelagh Heneghan representing the NMC and Ivy Fellows representing Birmingham and Black Country Workforce Confederation to the revalidation. The provision was originally offered as a conjoint programme but has been available as a short programme in its own right for the past five years. It is jointly validated by the NMC and the University. Although it recruits small numbers these are drawn from a small pool which generates a consistent demand for the provision. In preparation for the revalidation the team considered alternative means of delivering the short programme, but having considered the system used at UCE and spoken to the Confederation, had decided against transferring to Distance Learning. Within the region students therefore have a choice between a taught programme at UoW and distance learning at UCE. It was noted that confederation representatives Ian MacDonald and Ivy Fellows have been involved at every opportunity in the review and revalidation process. This two module short course is referred to as a programme in the NMC Prep Standards and the team produces a programme handbook for students. It is however out of sync with the classifications of the wider University since it is not a programme leading to an award, nor a stand alone module. The NMC visitor commended the course team on the clarity of the documentation and commented favourably on the sources of evidence in the practice based document. Further information and explanation was requested on the following matters. Structure of the programme and the sequencing of the theory and practice elements. The two modules run concurrently. The theory module is offered one day a week over a period of fifteen weeks. The regional supervisor determines the number of days practice a student must complete and this decision is based on the student s experience and the number of refresher courses taken. The minimum is 20 days over fifteen weeks and the Trust determines the flexibility with which these are arranged. It was clarified that students cannot complete their practice requirement in four full-time weeks at the beginning of the course and that the preferred arrangement is two days per week. Location of course It was clarified that this is a dual rather than multi-site course in the sense that the taught elements are delivered at the Walsall campus and the clinical placements undertaken at a NHS Trust. Whilst on placement, students spend some time in each area of Midwifery with the balance depending on their past experience. Support and Guidance on the Practice Module It was clarified that each student is assigned a support midwife who they see on a regular basis. A link teacher is also available in each placement area, but students are more likely to contact their personal tutor regarding any problems. 3 of 6

Selection and preparation of support midwives The team has agreed criteria for selection. All support midwives must be experienced and have undertaken update workshops. Tripartite assessment The tripartite relationship is between the support midwife, the student and the personal tutor. Students work with one or more support midwives in practice and the one with whom they have had most involvement signs off their clinical assessment document. This document provides evidence that competencies have been attained and is discussed at the tripartite interview. Requirements to pass the practice module The team confirmed that students cannot pass the practice module without passing the portfolio since the portfolio provides the evidence underpinning the practice. All clinical competencies must also be passed. Portfolio It was clarified that the portfolio is intended to enhance lifelong learning and that students can choose to subtract parts before they submit the document to their personal tutor. There must be sufficient evidence in the remainder to satisfy the modular outcomes. The following points were raised and discussed by members of SQC. The theory module requires students to access a worksheet on infection control on WOLF. The team reassured SQC that students would be prepared to use this technology either through group or individual tutorials depending on the needs of the group. The theory module is comprised of twelve half day sessions although the typical arrangement is to double up sessions and to not hold one every week. This is in line with the Return to Practice Nursing programme. It was advised that the team might identify the staff associated with the various tutor roles listed in the handbook. The programme leader confirmed that she does this verbally at the beginning of the programme and that several of the roles are filled by the same person. In response to a query about the minimum student numbers required to make the theory module viable, the staff explained that since the programme is not run in many centres, students may already have waited over twelve months, so every effort is made to run the module. Agreed: Agreed: Comments from S Lees the new External Examiner have been received and the statement of compliance for resources has been signed. S Heneghan informed SQC that the programme more than meets the NMC Prep Standards. It is well put together and thought out and reveals considerable collaboration with the confederation, clinicians and past students. NMC will confirm its agreement in writing. To approve the revalidation. APPENDIX TWO: Dear Ann, Thank you for your letter. I opted to reply by e-mail as suggested as 4 of 6

the review of the programme is scheduled for next week. I am pleased that my application for the post of external examiner has been accepted and I look forward to undertaking the role next year. Thank you for the opportunity to comment upon the documentation for the Return to Midwifery Practice programme. It appears to be clear and comprehensive. I considered the three areas which you highlighted. The programme is appropriate for Intermediate (level two) studies in the Quality assurance Agency framework and meets the PREP standard. I wondered whether the University of Wolverhampton has any guidelines regarding parity of assessment. The summative assessment in the theoretical module (MI 2018) is an essay of 3000 words. The summative assessment in the practice module (MI 2019) comprises four reflections (of 1000-1500 words each) and the achievement of clinical comperencies. The submission date for the essay in MI2018 is identified as week 15 on page 15 of the Submission document and as week 12 on page 22. I hope that these comments are useful as you prepare for the validation event. Please do not hestiate to contact me if I can be of any assistance. Sue Lees External Examiner APPENDIX THREE: Ann Cysewski Principal Lecturer Midwifery School of Health Boundary House see address opposite Tel: 01902 323086 5 of 6

Fax: 01902 322886 email ann@wlv.ac.uk Ref: ATC/sh/Sue Lees/210703 21 July 2003 Sue Lees Senior Lecturer - Midwifery Coventry University School of Health and Social Sciences (Gulson Campus) Priory Street Coventry CV1 5FB Dear Sue RE: Return to Midwifery Practice Programme Thank you for your comments on the above programme. I am sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but felt it best to wait until the outcome of validation was known, and the final document was produced. The submission dates have been amended so that they are consistent in the module guide and template. In relation to the wordage of the portfolio, there are not specific requirements within the School or University that determine the wordage of assessments. Though, generally 15 credit modules equate to approximately 3000 words. There are some exceptions across the School, these often being with portfolios and research modules that tend to be longer. Students tend to require the greater wordage to cover the scope of outcomes, particularly with practice modules. The demands of the practice module are consistent with other similar modules in the School. strategy is being reviewed across School in the forthcoming year. The assessment I have enclosed for your information the notes of the validation event, and I take this opportunity to thank you once again for your comments. I am pleased to hear your application for external examiner was accepted. I invite you to join us for the September Subject Board on the 11 September 2003 at 13.00 hours. This will be include a buffet lunch, and you will have the opportunity to meet the Midwifery Team and existing external examiners. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely Ann Cysewski Principal Lecturer - Midwifery 6 of 6