Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed Sascha Wells-Munro as its new director of midwifery, the trust announced on Tuesday 10 November 2026. She will take up the role in January.

Ms Wells-Munro, who has served as deputy chief midwifery officer for England, joins from York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where she has been director of midwifery since August 2023.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals said the appointment would strengthen maternity and neonatal leadership at the trust, which is under pressure to improve its services.

A record of turning services around

At Scarborough, Ms Wells-Munro played a key leadership role in improving maternity services, which were upgraded from “inadequate” to “good” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in September 2026.

Her career includes a spell as a maternity improvement adviser for NHS Improvement, and seven years as director of midwifery at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. When she joined Morecambe Bay in 2011, its maternity services were under extensive regulatory review. Over her time in post, she led the services from special measures to a CQC rating of “good” in 2017.

In 2020, she became the NHS England North West region's first chief midwife. She first qualified as a midwife in 1995 and was awarded an OBE in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to the NHS and patient safety.

Leeds services under review

The appointment comes at a difficult time for maternity care in Leeds. The trust noted that a range of improvements were under way after a 2025 CQC rating of “inadequate” for maternity services and “requires improvement” for neonatal services.

An independent review into maternity and neonatal services in Leeds has also begun, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden. The review followed a campaign by bereaved and harmed families.

Ms Wells-Munro said she was looking forward to joining the trust and working with colleagues to continue improving maternity and neonatal services across the city.

“I recognise the challenges that lie ahead, but I have already been struck by the determination and commitment of teams in Leeds to deliver the changes families want and deserve,” she said.

“We will work openly and transparently with families, the independent review team and our regulators, ensuring that we learn, improve and make meaningful, lasting changes.”

Trust welcomes the appointment

Beverley Geary, chief nurse at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said she was delighted that Ms Wells-Munro was joining the trust.

“She brings a wealth of experience in improving maternity services and a deep commitment to ensuring women, babies and families receive outstanding care,” Ms Geary said. “We know further improvements are needed here in Leeds and we look forward to working together as we continue to transform our maternity and neonatal services.”

According to a job advert for the role, the post carries a band 9 salary of between £112,782 and £129,783 a year. Ms Wells-Munro said she was committed to building on the work already begun, and to making sure the voices of families, communities and colleagues help shape the future direction of the service.