Experiences and needs of Scotland's rural midwives

Rural midwifery internationally is often misunderstood and is persistently compromised by recruitment and retention issues. In a climate of constant policy change and service development this has implications for morale with rural midwives who continue to practice in challenging yet rewarding contexts. This article reports on Scottish rural midwives’ experiences as part of an international study examining New Zealand and Scottish rural midwives. Major themes from the study included the importance of relationships and a unique skill set. Scottish midwives reported feeling vulnerable in the face of constant policy direction and service changes that did not appreciate the context of practice realities. Considering current Scottish policy this paper highlights some implications for practice and ideas for further research.