Katherine Hawes

In November 2018, Katherine was invited to join the maternity investigation programme as our first midwifery advisor. In 2019 she was appointed Head of Maternity Investigations. Katherine joined us from NHS England, where she held the post of Deputy Regional Maternity Lead for NHS England in the Midlands and East Region.

Katherine’s career in the NHS spans over 38 years. She offers a wealth of clinical expertise and strategic insight into the understanding and complexities of providing safe and effective care within the NHS. Katherine is a registered midwife and nurse. She has a special interest in supporting women who wish to birth at home. She holds a master’s degree in healthcare leadership and a first degree in midwifery and women’s health. 

She has significant experience both at regional and national level in undertaking safety investigations, identifying safety recommendations to improve performance, developing strategy and enhancing the delivery of safe care. She was commissioned by NHS England to be part of a four-person team to undertake a national investigation in Guernsey and has supported the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in undertaking reviews of maternity services and subject matter expert for a Keogh review.  

Katherine is part of the senior team, providing leadership to the investigation teams and undertakes a number of independent investigations focused on maternity services and perinatal care.