UNIVERSITY of West London (UWL) midwifery students have become the first in the country to receive UNICEF revalidation as they continue to tackle misconceptions and support new mothers.

They have been reaccredited with the UNICEF Baby Friendly Gold award after demonstrating the highest standards of knowledge and care around infant feeding, as well as infant-mother relationships.

Gold is the highest accreditation possible, recognising the quality of students' knowledge, compassion and empathy when offering feeding support, as well as their understanding of breastfeeding and its challenges.

UWL is a major provider of trainee midwives across West London, with students going on to provide care to more than 50,000 women and babies in the region every year.

Charmagne Barnes, Executive Dean of UWL's College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare, said: "This accreditation shows yet again, that our teaching is at the forefront of healthcare, being inclusive and supportive in providing positivity and support to parents however they choose to feed their newborns.

"To show kindness and care alongside excellent clinical knowledge is what makes an excellent midwife, and this award only proves that our students have exactly what it takes as they embark on their careers across the NHS Trusts and healthcare services in West London."