Carla Avery

Before joining Buckinghamshire New University in 2021, I was a course lead and senior midwifery lecturer for the University of Bedfordshire. Whilst there, I taught across the programme, with a passion for communication and obstetric emergency training, whilst also leading on the undergraduate paramedic obstetric and neonatal unit. Prior to education, I was a senior midwife in the NHS, caring for women, newborns and families across the continuum of care, ensuring women felt empowered to have the birth experience of their choice. 

I studied for my MA in Medical Education at the University of Bedfordshire which culminated in a phenomenological study of the lived experience of final year student midwives and their mentorship experience. This demonstrated the power of the relationship between mentor and mentee, something which can greatly impact learning. The impact on confidence of paramedics when receiving obstetric training for pre-hospital care will be the topic of further studies.

I am a member of the NMC register as Registered Midwife and Registered Teacher. I also am a member of the RCM (Royal college of Midwives).

My specialist knowledge has led me to work with HEE, NMC, Skills for Health through the development of the apprenticeship standards for midwifery, and PROMPT (PRractical Obstetric Multi-Professional training) in the provision of pre-hospital obstetric training and interprofessional working.

My greatest moments are watching those lightbulb moments in class when students “get it”, and seeing the students graduate into autonomous, safe compassionate practitioners.

Latest publication:

Ball C.J (2019) Supporting women in labour, Have we lost the skill? A personal reflection. The Practicing midwife, May 2019, Vol 22 Issue 5.

• Associate Professor