RCM introduces new Northern Ireland director

By Hollie Ewers on 26 September 2018 RCM Northern Ireland Director For Northern Ireland RCM Northern Ireland

Midwife Karen Murray from Belfast is the newly appointed RCM director for Northern Ireland. 

She replaces previous director Breedagh Hughes who retired in July.

Karen, who started the job last week, moved into the role from her previous position as senior professional officer at the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery. 

She has held various clinical midwifery posts before moving into midwifery education, working as a midwifery lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast for over 14 years. 

Karen said: ‘I feel incredibly privileged to be stepping into this role and it is one I relish. Breedagh Hughes did such a wonderful job, supporting our members, championing choice and rights for women and fighting for even better maternity services for Northern Ireland and I will continue that work.

‘There is no doubt that these are challenging times in many ways for midwives, MSWs, women and health services in Northern Ireland; not least the lack of a functioning government. I will continue to make sure that the RCM has a strong voice in all these issues as it always has done. The RCM has a pivotal role to play and I will continue to ensure our voice is heard.’

As an active RCM member since 1991, Karen has a long association with the organisation and engaging in branch activities at various points during her career. 

She served as vice chair and chair of her local RCM branch and promoted activities to engage members and promote the benefits of membership. 

RCM chief executive Gill Walton said: ‘This is a great coup for us to have someone of the calibre of Karen joining the RCM. She will be a great advocate for midwives, for women and the RCM and I am delighted to be working with her in this new role.’