Caroline Duncombe

Qualifications

MSc, PGC, DipHE, BSc (Hons) Midwifery, RGN

Specialisms

• Midwifery
• Diabetes in Pregnancy

Introduction

I qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1984 and as a Midwife in 1995. My clinical experience as a midwife has encompassed practice in most areas at a senior level, including the community, labour ward, clinics, assessment units and governance. I worked full time in the NHS from 1995 until 2016 when I retired. From 2016 I have been contracted through NHS Professionals. I worked part time in maternity governance from 2016 to 2022 and returned to the clinical area from January 2023 to date. 

To summarise my experience, alongside my core responsibilities in labour ward, the wards and community, from 1999 I worked concurrently one day per week as a diabetes specialist midwife (DSM) until 2009. I then I accepted a position to develop the DSM role in a different Trust full-time until 2012. In 2012 I undertook an 8-month secondment as maternity clinical governance lead followed by a 3-month secondment as the Trust Lead for Clinical Risk.

From April 2013 – January 2016 I became the midwifery lead for quality and assurance. I retired from the NHS in 2016. Since then I have continued to work as a midwife through NHS Professionals 2-3 days per week. From 2016 to 2022 I worked as a Maternity Data Intelligence & Assurance Lead and undertook root cause analysis and serious incident reports. In 2023 I worked in the clinic and day assessment unit, and from January 2024 as a community midwife.  I have maintained my knowledge and clinical competences through annual mandatory and other CPD training and courses.

Throughout the years between 2001-2015 I was a supervisor of midwives with a responsibility for providing leadership and guidance, acting as a role model and supporting midwives through NMC hearings when required. Between 2007-2009 I split some of my time working as a university lecturer, during which time I gained a post-graduate certificate in teaching undergraduates.

Outside the NHS, from 2001 I was an instructor on the ALSO (Advanced Life Saving in Obstetrics) course, a nationally accredited multidisciplinary course, to teach and assess emergency skills and drills, approximately twice a year. The organisation ceased to function in September 2018. I continue to contribute to voluntary maternity skills and drills train the trainer programs overseas and have travelled to India and Nigeria, with the aim of assisting the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality.

I undertake medico-legal work for Somek and Associates where I accept instructions from both Claimant and Defendant Solicitors and Insurers. I completed an expert witness module at the University of Hertfordshire in 2008 and have continued to keep updated with formal training in the medico-legal process. I am fully aware of my responsibilities under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to Expert Witnesses. My experience as an Expert has included attending case conferences, preparing joint statements, giving evidence at both the Coroner’s court and at the NMC and attending Civil Court hearings.