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A University of Suffolk lecturer has been recognised for her work supporting autistic people in midwifery. Karen Henry is in the running for a prestigious Royal College of Midwives award.
Why it matters: Karen's work promotes inclusion for autistic colleagues, students, and mothers-to-be in midwifery. The nomination highlights efforts to make midwifery more accessible and inclusive, benefiting the local community and beyond.
Key details:
Karen is shortlisted for the Royal College of Midwives Equity, Diversity and Inclusion award
She has developed training sessions, co-authored a book, and published multiple articles on supporting autistic individuals in midwifery
She's collaborated with the Royal College of Midwives to create a toolkit for educators supporting neurodivergent midwifery students
Practical impact: Henry's work suggests strategies for supporting autistic mothers-to-be, including:
Extra time for antenatal appointments
Scheduling appointments during quieter periods
Arranging visits to labour and postnatal wards to increase familiarity
What they're saying: "Midwifery is a wonderful career which can take you down so many different and wonderful avenues," Henry said. "Teaching midwifery is a joy because I get to share my enthusiasm and knowledge with the students who will take this into practice, and I get to share their journey with them."
Background: Henry graduated from the University of Suffolk in 2018 and began lecturing there in 2022. She describes the university as feeling "like home to me, and I love working here."
What's next: The awards ceremony will take place in London this October. Good luck from Ipswich.co.uk, Karen!
Go deeper: For information about studying midwifery at the University of Suffolk, visit their BSc (Hons) Midwifery programme page.
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