THE first four of 12 new international midwives are being welcomed at Basildon Hospital.

The cohort of new midwives have been welcomed at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, from Ghana and Zambia, with eight more – four at Southend Hospital and four at Broomfield Hospital – expected to start work on maternity units over the coming months.

Howard 'Howie' Katyamba, 30, from northern Zambia, said: "I can't wait for my first day. It will be amazing to work in such a welcoming and diverse team. I want to give the best that I can, but also give our own perspective to the maternity team from our experience working in Zambia."

Grace Mwanza, 27, from Lusaka in Zambia, said: "I'm most looking forward to my first delivery! Everything we need has been provided, making the transition really easy. I've always loved being a midwife, and hope that one day I can become an obstetrician."

The midwives are currently undertaking training for the final examination they have to pass to gain their Nursing Midwifery Council PIN number and UK registration, which will then see them join the midwife team.

As with all newly-qualified midwives they will be on a year-long programme, which gives them additional support.

Penny Champion, Practice Development Midwife, said: "It has been a real delight to welcome Victoria, Grace, Michael and Howard into our midwifery team. They will be a huge boost and benefit to the department. We've really got to know them over the past few weeks and they are all so keen, enthusiastic and willing to learn and share their own experience and skills with us."

The Trust has been offering the new midwives lots of support, organising their travel to the UK and helping them settle into hospital accommodation. They've also been introduced to the maternity team during walk arounds in the unit, have already made friends within the hospital and have been offered support from established midwives.

Michael Munyenyembe, 34, from Chinsali in Zambia, said: "We've had a lot of support from Penny and the team at the Trust, which has already made working here a great experience."