Released on: 27 October 2023
As part of our AGM programme for 2023, we are delighted to welcome Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE as our special guest.
About our guest speaker 
Professor Dunkley-Bent OBE is the first Chief Midwife for the International Confederation of Midwives. She has a passion for supporting midwives and health systems to ensure that all women and gender diverse people have the same maternity experiences and outcomes as those who have the best.
She served for four years as the first Chief Midwifery Officer for the NHS in England and was one of two National Maternity Safety Champions appointed by the Department for Health and Social Care. Jacqueline is a registered nurse and midwife and a visiting Professor of Midwifery at Kings College London and London South Bank University. She has held senior positions in clinical practice, education, leadership and management and has supported the education of Midwives Internationally.
She is the Chair of the maternity advisory group for the Health and Race Observatory in England, a member of the Women of the Year management committee, Midwifery Ambassador for the ‘Saying Goodbye’ charity and until recently, a trustee for the RCN Foundation. Noted as one of the Health Service Journal’s (HSJ) most influential people in health, in 2020,2021 and 2022 she was also selected from over 100 nominations for inclusion in the Nursing Times’ Leaders 2015 list, that celebrates nurses and midwives who are pioneers, entrepreneurs, and inspirational role models in their profession. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the NHS in England in 2023, she has just been recognised by the Nursing Times as one of 75 nurses and midwives who have contributed in a significant way to the NHS.
Speaking about the session, Prof. Dunkley-Bent OBE said: "NCT has a proud history of championing the rights of pregnant women and parents, and I'm incredibly pleased to be able to speak to its members as part of the AGM. I am looking forward to discussing the challenges and opportunities in maternal care across the UK and in particular, how we address the inequalities in this space and provide a greater understanding in areas including maternal mental health and postnatal care."
About the event
NCT Chief Executive Angela McConville, Chair Stephanie Maurel, and Honorary Secretary Ema Ojiako will be in conversation with Jacqueline as they discuss the current challenges and opportunities facing new and expectant parents today and into the future.
The session will explore women's maternity and healthcare provision across the UK, how parents can best navigate their way through pregnancy, birth and early postnatal journeys, work to tackle health inequalities in maternity services and what more is needed to ensure that together we achieve safer, high-quality outcomes for every parent.
The pre-AGM event will take place from 10 – 11am, followed by a short break ahead of our main AGM which takes place from 11.15am on Wednesday 8 November.
Both events will be online, available exclusively for members. To register please click here and have your membership details ready. You can find these in the member email sent on 10 October.
