Connor Murray

My vocation in Midwifery began in 2004.

I graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a Bachelor of Science (in Midwifery) Degree with Distinction. Following my successful registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) I began working in the National Health Service (NHS) as a rotational midwife at the Princess Royal Maternity in Glasgow. This role saw me provide high quality, up to date, evidence-based midwifery care in accordance with NMC policies. Throughout my rotational post I gained experience in antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. Whilst continuing to work full time as a clinical midwife I studied part time and completed my Master’s Degree in Midwifery at Glasgow Caledonian University. My dissertation paper focussed on Midwives Perceptions of Hypnobirthing.

My passion within Midwifery is Early Pregnancy. In 2013 I took up a new role within the NHS as a Specialist Midwife Sonographer in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, I travelled to Birmingham City University for my training in ultrasound and I was awarded a Certificate in Early Pregnancy Ultrasound. This role saw me working between the Princess Royal Maternity and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow providing specialist knowledge, information and care to women and their families who were experiencing early pregnancy problems or loss. I was required to independently perform transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound, diagnose pregnancy loss, deliver bad news and make appropriate care plans. My role also required me to counsel women regarding the management and processes of pregnancy loss and have in depth conversations about informed consent and sensitive disposal. I undertook further training in capacity and consent to allow me to obtain written consent for medical and surgical procedures, as well as this I was also qualified to carry out pre-operative assessments. These extra attributes allowed me to stream line care and give continuity of care to women and their families at a very difficult time in their lives.

In 2018, I left my substantive post within the NHS and moved into Higher Education. I took up the position as Midwifery Lecturer within the School of Health and Life Sciences at the University of the West of Scotland. In this position I have a high degree of responsibility to promote excellence in learning and teaching in the pre-registration midwifery programme, at both MSc and BSc level. I deliver lectures, tutorials, workshops and clinical skills simulation, meaning I am required to use a range of different teaching skills and methods.  I am both Module Co-Ordinator and Module Support, meaning I develop and prepare teaching materials, mark and give feedback on both formative and summative assignments and act as module moderator. I also supervise research dissertations, provide pastoral support to students and act as a liaison lecturer for practice placements. Finally I am the co-lead for the UWS UNICEF Baby Friendly for the university, the lead for Moving and Handling for midwifery students and the lead for the International Day of the Midwife events.

I completed and graduated with my Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice in July 2020, became a Fellow of the Higher Eduation Academy and a registered teacher on the NMC register. 

My main areas of interest include early pregnancy, hypnobirthing, breastfeeding and mentorship.