Lynn McInally

My vocation in midwifery began in 2005. I graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Midwifery with Distinction. Following successful registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), I commenced my professional career working in Guernsey, Channel Islands, where I developed strong foundations in woman-centred, autonomous midwifery practice within a smaller, close-knit maternity service. I subsequently returned to the UK and joined the National Health Service (NHS).

Within this role, I provided high-quality, evidence-based midwifery care in accordance with NMC standards and local and national clinical guidelines. The rotational nature of the post enabled me to gain extensive experience across antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care settings, including high-risk obstetrics. This breadth of experience strengthened my clinical decision-making, communication skills, and ability to provide safe, compassionate, and individualised care to women and their families across the childbirth continuum.

In 2013, while continuing to work full time as a trainee midwife sonographer, I undertook part-time study and completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Imaging at the University of Cumbria. This qualification enabled me to transition into a specialist midwife sonographer role at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow in 2014. In this post, I performed and reported obstetric ultrasound examinations, including early pregnancy, anomaly, growth, and Doppler scans, within a large tertiary referral centre. I worked closely within multidisciplinary teams, supporting complex clinical decision-making, contributing to care planning, and communicating sensitive findings to women and their families with professionalism and empathy.

This specialist role required a high level of technical expertise, clinical judgement, and emotional intelligence, particularly when supporting women experiencing pregnancy complications or adverse outcomes. My combined midwifery and ultrasound skill set enabled me to streamline care pathways, enhance continuity of care, and provide timely, accurate information, supporting women and families during what were often highly challenging and distressing periods of their lives.

My passion for ultrasound and lifelong learning continued to develop, inspiring me to further advance my academic and clinical expertise. I went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Ultrasound, followed by a Master of Science in Medical Imaging at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2021. As part of my MSc, I undertook an empirical research study exploring the working experiences of obstetric sonographers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This work examined professional wellbeing, role strain, and service pressures during an unprecedented period in healthcare and was subsequently published in MIDIRS Midwifery Digest (September 2022). The Masters programme strengthened my skills in research design, critical appraisal, data analysis, and academic writing, and further consolidated my interest in research-informed practice and workforce wellbeing.

In 2021, I made the transition from clinical practice within the NHS into Higher Education, taking up the post of Lecturer within the School of Health and Life Sciences at the University of the West of Scotland. In this role, I hold a high degree of responsibility for promoting excellence in learning and teaching across the pre-registration midwifery programme at both BSc and MSc levels. I deliver lectures, tutorials, workshops, and clinical skills simulation, employing a wide range of pedagogical approaches to support inclusive, engaging, and evidence-based learning.

I am both Module Co-ordinator and Year 3 Lead, with responsibility for curriculum development, preparation of teaching materials, assessment design, marking, and provision of detailed formative and summative feedback. I act as module moderator and ensure academic standards are maintained in line with university and professional regulatory requirements. I also supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research dissertations, provide pastoral and academic support to students, and act as a liaison lecturer for practice placements, working collaboratively with clinical partners to support student learning and progression.

In addition, I also lead and manage the annual Student Midwifery Conference, which provides a platform for students to work together to showcase current research and innovations in practice, fostering confidence, professional identity, and engagement with evidence-based practice.

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Authority, and currently a registered teacher on the NMC register.

My main areas of academic and professional interest include obstetric ultrasound, research methods, and holistic wellbeing, with a particular focus on integrating clinical expertise, education, and research to enhance both learning and care outcomes.