New maternity bosses appointed at L&D and Bedford Hospitals

A trio of highly experienced midwives has been appointed to lead maternity services at Luton & Dunstable and Bedford Hospitals.
Emma Hardwick (left), Tara Pauley (middle) and Ilene Machiva (right) will lead maternity services at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS FoundationTrustEmma Hardwick (left), Tara Pauley (middle) and Ilene Machiva (right) will lead maternity services at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS FoundationTrust
Emma Hardwick (left), Tara Pauley (middle) and Ilene Machiva (right) will lead maternity services at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS FoundationTrust

The two hospitals are run by Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The Trust states these appointments will strengthen its leadership team as it continues to improve services for mothers and babies.

Emma Hardwick has been appointed as the Trust’s director of midwifery, and she will oversee both Bedford and Luton & Dunstable maternity units.

Emma joins the Trust from Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and is described as a "hugely experienced" nurse and midwife.

She has worked in healthcare since training in 1983, largely in London and the east of England.

Emma said: “I am so pleased to have taken up this newly-created post.

"It is an exciting opportunity to provide professional leadership to a fantastic team, to enable our staff to reach their full potential so that we can provide the best possible experience for families in Bedfordshire using our maternity services."

Tara Pauley has been appointed as head of midwifery at Bedford Hospital. She will join the Trust in April from Cambridge University Hospital, where she is the deputy head of midwifery.

Tara said: “I am very much looking forward to joining Bedfordshire Hospitals and, as part of the new leadership team, working to improve maternity provision in our local area.”

At the L&D Hospital, Ilene Machiva has served as head of midwifery since March last year and she will work alongside Ms Pauley and Ms Hardwick in the leadership team.

Liz Lees, chief nurse at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “We are thrilled to have appointed two leaders with Emma and Tara’s experience to join us at such an important time.

"We now have a full midwifery leadership team in place, which is fantastic.

“The last year has been very tough for women using maternity services – not being able to have their partners there for certain scans at the height of the pandemic has been particularly difficult.

“I know that Emma, Tara and Ilene will do an excellent job of continuing our drive to improve services for women and their families, working with our dedicated teams of midwives, women themselves, and other partners, such as the Maternity Voices Partnership.”

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