Adept at stitching, midwives at Forth Valley Royal Hospital were presented with a new challenge when a tapestry panel arrived in the Women and Children’s Unit. They were invited to use needle and thread to sew a few stitches into the piece of embroidery which it’s hoped will be included in the Great Tapestry of Scotland.

The panel, which is touring Scotland, marks the centenary of the Midwives (Scotland) Act 1915, ending the practice of uncertified midwives by making training, examination and registration for midwives compulsory. It depicts a midwife in 1915 together with a modern midwife supporting a new mother and baby, with the background representing a shawl.

Every midwife who adds a stitch or two is invited to sign their name for inclusion in a special commemorative book.

NHS Forth Valley’s Deputy Head of Midwifery Gail Bell said: “Getting staff involved in the history of their profession is very important. It has brought all the disciplines together and resulted in great team bonding.”

Meanwhile the Midwives Choir from Forth Valley Royal Hospital sang ‘Lean on Me’ during a centenary service of celebration at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, after which the Lord Provost and Edinburgh City Council hosted a reception in the City Chambers where the Choir sang again.

Pictured are Midwife Practitioner Laura Henderson (front), placing a long stitch on the panel, and back (left –to-right) Alison Delworth, Bluebell Team Leader, and Mhairi McGuirk Clinical Shift Coordinator Team Leader.