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After the investigation: longer term support
The impact of an adverse clinical outcome may not end when the investigation ends. You may feel relieved that the process is over, but you may also continue to experience difficult emotions, uncertainty or concerns about what happened. You might find yourself revisiting events, questioning your decisions, feeling less confident in your practice or worrying about how colleagues perceive you. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and there is no set timescale for processing what has happened.
What might help you moving forward?
Stay connected with people who can support you
You may find it helpful to continue speaking with your line manager, Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) or another trusted colleague. You may need someone to listen, help you make sense of your experience or simply acknowledge how difficult it has been. If you do not feel comfortable approaching someone directly involved in the investigation, consider who else within your Trust you could approach.
Give yourself time to rebuild confidence
You may feel anxious about returning to work, managing a similar clinical situation or making decisions under pressure. Be kind to yourself and recognise that confidence may take time to return. If you feel you would benefit from additional support, supervision, a refresher or an opportunity to discuss particular clinical situations, consider raising this with your line manager. Needing support after a difficult experience does not mean that you are not a capable midwife.
Make sense of the outcome
You may have questions about the investigation findings or feel that aspects of your experience have not been fully understood or represented. If you need clarification, you can contact the relevant investigation lead or governance team to ask what the findings mean and what happens next. If you believe factual inaccuracies remain, ask about the appropriate process for raising these concerns.
Access further support if you need it
You can seek support at any stage, including long after the investigation has ended. This may include your Trust’s Occupational Health service, employee assistance programme or other wellbeing services. Your GP can help if the experience is affecting your mental or physical wellbeing. If you find that your sleep, mood, relationships, confidence or ability to work are continuing to be affected, please consider reaching out for support.
Links to additional services and support
| NHS Practitioner Health | A free, confidential NHS service providing mental health assessment and treatment for healthcare professionals who struggle to access support through their usual GP or local services because of their professional role. Visit the website to find out if you are eligible. |
| The Midwives Haven | A national peer support network led by the Association of Radical Midwives. |
| RCM | For RCM members only, this guidance offers support around physical and mental health. |
| Nursing and Midwifery Council – Information for people on our register | This information can support you if a concern has been raised about your fitness to practice. |
| Trim Training & Consultancy LTD | An assessment with a Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) practitioner may help you identify whether you would benefit from additional professional support. Your Trust may have staff members who are trained TRiM practitioners. The North West Maternity and Midwifery Network (NW MMN) has also commissioned the training of several practitioners across the North West. If you would like to be connected with one of our practitioners for an assessment, please email nw.mmn@nhs.net. |
Guidance for line managers and those supporting colleagues: after the investigation |