Pat Gould, Team Manager, The Royal College of Midwives

Pat qualified as a midwife in 1975 and worked clinically in Birmingham until she left to start a family in 1977. Following a ten year break, she undertook a Return to Practice Course in 1987 and again worked clinically on a part time basis. She became an RCM steward in 1989, just as the impact of clinical grading and the prospect of the ensuing appeals was realised.

She joined the RCM as an Industrial Relations Officer in 1994, prior to the regionalisation of services, and was one of the first field based Officers in England. Shortly afterwards the combined role, covering industrial relations and professional issues, was introduced.

Her present post is as Team Manager for the RCM’s UK Board for England, managing a team of Regional Officers in Eastern, London and the South East Coast Regions.

She provides expertise to the team on a wide range of employment related and professional issues affecting RCM members, including referrals to the NMC on fitness to practice matters and tribunals.

The RCM is represented by Pat on a number of working groups and committees both regionally and nationally in England. Her particular areas of interest are Workforce, Equality and Leadership.