Sue Way

Professor Sue Way

  • u_sway at bournemouth dot ac dot uk
  • Emeritus Professor
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Biography

I am a registered midwife and a Professor in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences. I have enjoyed a longstanding career that has combined education, research and practice. I am a Fellow of the Royal College of Midwives and a National Teaching Fellow (AdvancedHE). I am passionate about advancing the evidence-based practice of midwives ensuring they are equipped to deliver high quality, safe and effective care to women, their babies and families. My recent research interests address key midwifery issues particularly around the time of birth and in the early postnatal period. Currently I am Head of Research in the Department of Human Science and Public Health and am also the Deputy Lead for the research centre, Midwifery, Maternity and Perinatal Health. I supervise a number of PGR students undertaking a clinical academic doctorate. These are full time doctorates completed over four years, where the research idea is generated from clinical practice, and the PGR is a clinical midwife who spends 3 days a week working on their PhD and 2 days a week in practice...

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Favourites

  • Hall, D.J., Way, D.S., 2018. A discussion paper: Do national maternity policy reviews take account of the education and training of the future midwifery workforce? An example from England. Midwifery, 62, 278-280.
  • Hundley, V.A., Way, S., Cheyne, H., Janssen, P., Gross, M., Spiby, H., 2017. Defining the latent phase of labour: Is it important? Evidence Based Midwifery, 15 (3), 89-94.
  • Fisher, M., Bower, H., Chenery-Morris, S., Jackson, J., Way, S., 2017. A scoping study to explore the application and impact of grading practice in pre-registration midwifery programmes across the United Kingdom. Nurse Education in Practice, 24, 99-105.
  • Fisher, M., Bower, H., Chenery-Morris, S., Jackson, J., Way, S., 2017. A scoping study to explore the application and impact of grading practice in pre-registration midwifery programmes across the United Kingdom. Nurse Education in Practice, 24, 99-105.
  • Fisher, M., Way, S., Chenery-Morris, S., Jackson, J., Bower, H., 2017. Core principles to reduce current variations that exist in grading of midwifery practice in the United Kingdom. Nurse Education in Practice, 23, 54-60.
  • Fisher, M., Way, S., Chenery-Morris, S., Jackson, J., Bower, H., 2017. Core principles to reduce current variations that exist in grading of midwifery practice in the United Kingdom. Nurse Education in Practice, 23, 54-60.
  • Way, S., 2016. Consistent, quality midwifery care: How midwifery education and the role of the midwife teacher are important contributions to the Lancet Series. Midwifery, 33.
  • Way, S., 2016. Consistent, quality midwifery care: How midwifery education and the role of the midwife teacher are important contributions to the Lancet Series. Midwifery.

Journal Articles

Books

Chapters

  • Way, S., 2015. Intoduction to midwifery and the profession. In: Cescutti-Butler, L., Fisher, M., eds. The Hands-on Guide to Midwifery Placements. Wiley Blackwell.
  • Way, S., 2011. The role of the regulatory body in promoting normal birth. promoting normal birth research, reflections and guidelines. Fresh Heart.

Conferences

  • Cescutti-Butler, L., Way, S., 2020. Evaluating the student experience of introducing newborn infant physical theory into a pre-registration midwifery programme in the UK. In: European Midwifery Association 29/11/2019 Malmo - Sweden.
  • Way, S., Bower, H., Fisher, M., Chenery-Morris, S., Galloway, F., Jackson, J., 2018. Grading criteria for professional practice assessment: a generic framework. In: 2nd International Midwifery Education Conference 05/07/2018 Bournemouth University.
  • Way, S., Bower, H., Fisher, M., Chenery-Morris, S., Galloway, F., Jackson, J., 2018. Grading criteria for professional practice assessment: a generic framework. In: 2nd International Midwifery Education Conference 05/07/2018 Bournemouth University.
  • Fisher, M., Way, S., 2018. Grading Practice: A common framework to aid consistency and parity across midwifery education programmes in the United Kingdom. In: 5th European Midwives Association education conference 02/12/2016 The Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London.
  • Taylor, A.M., Way, S., Miller, J., 2017. Newborn Feeding Clinic service evaluation: Midwives working in partnership with chiropractors to enhance breastfeeding experiences of mothers and babies in the United Kingdom. In: 31st ICM TRIENNIAL CONGRESS 19/06/2017 Toronto.
  • Hundley, V., Sheppard, Z., Stride, S., Way, S., 2017. UUPP Study: Updating the understanding of perineal practice at the time of birth across the United Kingdom. In: 5th European Midwives Association education conference 02/12/2016 The Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London.
  • Hundley, V., Sheppard, Z., Stride, S., Way, S., 2017. UUPP Study: Updating the understanding of perineal practice at the time of birth across the United Kingdom. In: 5th European Midwives Association education conference 02/12/2016 The Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London.
  • Way, S., Hutchings, M., Colbourne, D., Bick, D., 2016. Leading with a SMiLE: exploring a student-led clinic practice education model for educational impact and service improvement. In: 6th International Nurse Education Conference 03/04/2016 Brisbane.
  • Taylor, A., Way, S., Miller, J., 2015. Joint Chiropractic & Midwifery Newborn Clinic: an innovative approach to enhance student learning about complex feeding problems. In: Innovation in Midwifery Education ... What Works? 03/07/2015 Bournemouth University.
  • Way, S., Taylor, A., 2014. Joint Chiropractic and Midwifery Newborn Clinic: an innovative approach to support the establishment of successful breastfeeding. In: Maternity, Midwifery and baby Conference 20/06/2014 London.
  • Way, S., 2014. Joint Chiropractic and Midwifery Newborn Clinic: an innovative approach to support the establishment of successful breastfeeding. In: Maternity, Mother and Baby: Caring through the science and art of midwifery Conference 20/06/2014 London.
  • Cameron, J., Bharj, K., Way, S., McIntosh, C., 2014. Education and Practice World Café – Escalating Concerns about Care: Working Together to Safeguard Women and Families. In: International Congress of Midwives 01/06/2014 Prague.
  • Way, S., way, S., 2012. 'Education Masterclass: New Perspectives on Teaching, Mentoring and Assessment'. In: Midwives Annual conference 21/11/2012 Brighton.
  • Way, S., 2011. Fit for practice at the point of registration: whose responsibility? In: Supervisors of Midwives Normal Birth Conference 30/06/2011 Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.
  • Way, S., 2009. Setting the Scene. In: Supervisors of Midwives Workshop: North of Scotland LSA Consortium 05/03/2009 Inverness.
  • Way, S., 2009. Nursing and Midwifery Council Update. In: Accountability and Evidence - A&E for Supervisors of Midwives 19/02/2009 Cookstown, Northern Ireland.
  • Way, S., 2008. NMC - what is coming up next for midwifery regulation. In: West Midlands LSA Face to Face Event 11/07/2008 Redditch.
  • Way, S., 2008. NMC Update. In: Strictly Midwifery - Dancing to a New Tune: Supervisors of midwives annual conference 22/04/2008 Torquay.
  • Way, S., 2008. Standards for supervised practice of midwives. In: Supervision in Action Protecting the Public: West of Scotland Supervisors of Midwives Annual Forum 29/02/2008 University of the West of Scotland.
  • Way, S., 2006. Fit for practice and purpose: Good character, who decides? In: Educating a workforce or training a profession 14/12/2006 Royal College of Midwives, London.
  • Way, S., 2005. Fitness to Practise. In: The Scottich LSA Forum: A national conference for supervisors of midwives 20/05/2005 Stirling University.
  • Way, S.. Nursing and Midwifery Council Update. In: LSA Conference for Supervisors of Midwives in London 16/05/2005 Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Way, S., 2004. Nursing and Midwifery Council - Role and Responsibilities in meeting the public's expectations. In: Topical Issues in Maternity Care 24/02/2004 Nottingham.
  • Way, S.. Influencing education policy at the NMC. In: RCM Education Conference: challenges and changes 10/2004 London. UK: RCM Midwives.
  • Way, S., 2001. Professional Issues. In: Professional and Legal Issues in Midwifery 11/12/2001 Bescott Stadium, Birmingham.
  • Way, S., 2001. WWomen's expereinces of their perineum following childbirth: expectations, reality and returning to normality. In: Women and Midwives: Does anyone want a normal birth? 14/07/2011 Worcester University.
  • Way, S.. Antenatal Care: recent research, prenatal screening, preparation for birth. In: Contemporary Issues in Midwifery 28/01/2001 Al Corniche Hospital, Abu Dhabi.
  • Way, S.. Changes at the Nursing and Midwifery Council. In: Regional Lead Nurse Meeting 17/01/2002 Taunton.

Theses

Posters

  • Angell, C., Wilkins, C., Leamon, J., Way, S., 2019. Not just ticking the boxes: on-line practice assessment in midwifery. In: 5th European Midwives Association education conference.
  • Angell, C., Wilkins, C., Leamon, J., Way, S., 2019. Not just ticking the boxes: on-line practice assessment in midwifery. In: 5th European Midwives Association education conference.

PhD Students

  • Sara Stride. Midwives’ Perineal Practice at the time of birth – what factors influence decision making and how can midwives be supported?, (In progress)
  • Rebecca Edwards. The Let’s Talk Early Labour (L-TEL) Trial: Can an educational website affect nulliparous women's experiences of early labour - a randomised control trial, (Completed)
  • Amy Miller, 2020. Can a combined midwifery and chiropractic intervention clinic enhance student education and improve breastfeeding rates?
  • Dana Colbourne, 2020. Currently undertaking a PhD - Leading the Way: A Case Study of a Student Midwife led Postnatal Clinic
  • Dominique Mylod. Can pelvic positioning help women cope with pain in early labour?
  • Dana Colbourne. Leading the way: A case study of a student midwife led postnatal clinic
  • Liz Davey. An exploration of women's experiences of wellbeing through attendance at aquanatal exercise, and the impact of peer support during pregnancy
  • Sara Stride. Perineal practice at the moment of birth and subsequent documentation by the midwife.

Profile of Teaching PG

  • Preparation for Supervisors of Midwives.

Profile of Teaching UG

  • BSc (Hons) Midwifery - Health Leadership and Innovation (Level 6)
  • BSc Undergraduate Programmes: Service Improvement Project
  • BSc (Hons) Midwifery: Labour and Birth unit (Level 4)
  • BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science: Exploring research and development in paramedic practice (Level 6)

Grants

  • Updating the Understanding of Perineal (UP) practice at the time of birth across the United Kingdom (Wellbeing of Women, 03 Apr 2016). Completed
  • Peer Facilitated Learning: An evaluation of the student and academic experience of participating in reciprocal sharing of knowledge (BU: centre for Excellence in Learning, 04 Jan 2016). Awarded
  • Can a combined telephone triage system with a home assessment reduce the number of women admitted to hospital who are not in established labour? (BU PhD match funded studentship / University of Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, 01 Sep 2015). Completed
  • Practice Assessment and Learning in Midwifery Study (PALMS) (BU Centre for Excellence in Learning, 01 Jul 2015). In Progress
  • Guernsey Midwifery Project (Guernsey Government Department, Health and Social Sevices, 02 Mar 2015). Completed
  • Can pelvic positioning help women cope with pain in early labour? (BU PhD match funded studentship / IoW NHS Foundation Trust, 01 Jan 2015). In Progress
  • Can pelvic positioning help women cope with pain in early labour? (BU PhD match funded studentship / IoW NHS Foundation Trust, 01 Jan 2015). In Progress
  • Joint Chirporactic and Midwifery Newborn Clinic: an innovative approach to enhance student learning about women and babies experiencing complex feeding problems (Bournemouth University, 26 May 2014). Awarded
  • Leading the way - A Case study of a Student Midwife Led Postnatal Clinic. (BU PhD match funded studentship / Portsmouth NHS Foundation Trust, 01 Sep 2013). In Progress

External Responsibilities

Journal Reviewing/Refereeing

  • Midwifery, 01 Jun 2016
  • Nurse Education Today, 01 Oct 2015
  • Nurse Education in Practice, 01 Apr 2015

Conference Presentations

  • 2nd International Midwifery Education Conference, Grading criteria for professional practice assessment: a generic framework, 05 Jul 2018, Bournemouth University
  • NETNEP 7th International Nurse Education Conference, Story Sharing: bringing together the art and science of midwifery through assessment, 06 May 2018, Banff, Canada
  • 5th European Midwives Association education conference, Grading Practice: A common framework to aid consistency and parity across midwifery education programmes in the United Kingdom, 05 Dec 2017, The Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London.
  • 5th European Midwives Association education conference., UUPP Study: Updating the understanding of perineal practice at the time of birth across the United Kingdom, 05 Dec 2017, The Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London.
  • 10th Annual Postgraduate Conference Bournemouth University, Leading the Way: A case study of a student midwife led postnatal clinic (Photo), 05 Oct 2017, Bournemouth
  • 28th International Networking for Healthcare Education Conference (NET), 'Real-time service improvement: Preparing undergraduate healthcare students for the reality of interprofessional team working, 05 Sep 2017, Christchurch College, Cambridge
  • International Confederation of Midwives 31st triennial congress, Newborn feeding clinic service evaluation: Midwives working in partnership with chiropractors to enhance breastfeeding experiences of mothers and babies in the UK, 18 Jun 2017, Toronto, Canada
  • Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust (PHT) Healthcare Conference 2016, Leading the way - A case study of a student midwife led postnatal clinic, 11 May 2016, Portsmouth
  • NETNEP 6th International Nurse Education Conference., Leading with a SMiLE: exploring a student-led clinic practice education model for educational impact and service improvement, 03 Apr 2016, Brisbane, Australia
  • NET Conference, Leading the way - A case study of a student midwife led postnatal clinic, 06 Sep 2015, Cambridge
  • Innovation in Midwifery Education ... What Works?, Joint Chiropractic & Midwifery Newborn Clinic: an innovative approach to enhance student learning about complex feeding problems, 03 Jul 2015, Bournemouth University
  • 30th International Congress of Midwives, Education and Practice World Café – Escalating Concerns about Care: Working Together to Safeguard Women and Families, 01 Jun 2015, Prague
  • Maternity, Mother and Baby: Caring through the science and art of midwifery Conference, Joint Chiropractic and Midwifery Newborn Clinic: an innovative approach to support the establishment of successful breastfeeding, 20 Jun 2014, London
  • Midwives Annual Conference, 'Education Masterclass: New Perspectives on Teaching, Mentoring and Assessment, 21 Nov 2012, Brighton
  • The 4th Annual University of Worcester Birth Conference: Women and Midwives: Does anyone want a normal birth?, Women's experiences of their perineum following childbirth: expectations, reality and returning to normality, 14 Jul 2011, Worcester University
  • Supervisors of Midwives Normal Birth Conference, Fit for practice at the point of registration: whose responsibility?, 30 Jun 2011, Portsmouth NHS Foundation Trust
  • Supervisors of Midwives Workshop: North of Scotland LSA Consortium, Setting the Scene, 05 Mar 2009, Inverness
  • Accountability and Evidence - A&E for Supervisors of Midwives, Nursing and Midwifery Council Update, 19 Feb 2009, Cookstown, Northern Ireland

Consultancy Activities

  • Midwifery Pan-London Practice Assessment Document, External Appraisal of Midwifery Pan London Practice Assessment Document. Health Education North Central & East London, HE South London and HE North West London

Qualifications

  • HEA Senior Fellow in Education (Higher Education Academy, 2015)
  • Post Graduate Certificate Research Supervision in Research Supervision (Bournemouth University, 2011)
  • PhD in Midwifery (Bournemouth University, 2007)
  • MSc in Advanced Midwifery Practice (Surrey University / Royal College of Midwives, 1994)
  • PGCE in Post Graduate Certificate in the Education of Adul (Surrey University / Royal College of Midwives, 1991)
  • Adv Dip in Advanced Diploma Midwifery (Surrey University / Royal College of Midwives, 1989)
  • Registered Midwife in Professional Registration (Portsmouth School of Midwifery, 1986)

Honours

  • Fellow of the Royal College of Midwives (Royal College of Midwives, 2018)
  • National Teaching Fellow (AdvanceHE, 2018)
  • Senior Fellow (Higher Education Academy, 2015)

Memberships

The data on this page was last updated at 05:00 on February 18, 2026.