Barbara Lloyd

Barbara Lloyd is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Limerick's School of Nursing & Midwifery. She holds expertise in midwifery education, complementary therapies, and women's health. Her roles include teaching in BSc Midwifery and Higher Diploma programs, clinical midwifery experience in the UK and Ireland, and leadership in national competency assessment projects like the National Midwifery Competency Assessment Tool (NMBI). She is also a qualified acupuncturist and herbalist, focusing on integrative approaches to fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum care.

Education Background:

• Registered General Nurse and Midwife
• International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (until 2021)
• Qualified Acupuncturist and Chinese Medical Herbalist

Research Focus: Barbara's work addresses complementary therapies (acupuncture, aromatherapy, mindfulness) in women's health, breastfeeding competency assessment, and midwifery education. Her studies explore clinical practice challenges, such as pandemic impacts on internships and cultural competency in palliative care. She emphasizes translating research into improved clinical teaching and student outcomes.

Professional Contributions:

• Member of the Women and Child Health Research Group
• Former midwifery tutor at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital (1999–2000) and University College Dublin (until 2020)
• Key contributor to Ireland's midwifery competency frameworks

Grants & Future Work: Ongoing focus on midwifery education innovation, integrative healthcare practices, and culturally responsive palliative care models.

Labs/Teams: Involved with the Women and Child Health Research Group and interdisciplinary teams at the National Maternity Hospital and University College Dublin.