Twin sisters embark on twin career

Sarah and Lindsay Dodds both achieved a First Class BSc (Hons) Midwifery Studies degree following a three-year course at Northumbria’s School of Health, Community and Education Studies.

And the 22-year-olds have now walked into matching jobs at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary maternity department.

Lindsay, who lives in Forest Hall with her twin sister, said that their lives had often taken similar paths.

“When we were making our career decisions in school we started thinking about what we wanted to do,” she said. “We both independently decided to go into midwifery.”

“We did the same GCSE and A Level subjects and both passed with slightly different grades but exactly the same number of total points.

“We both applied for jobs at the RVI and were delighted to find out that they were taking us both on. They’ve kept us slightly separated. I’m on the delivery suite and Sarah works in the antenatal department. All of the staff members are lovely.”

Sarah said: “Lindsay and I have always wanted to do something in health care since we were in school.

“I love working as a midwife. I enjoy the fact that you’re dealing with people in one of the happiest times of their lives. Every day at work you are part of a couple’s special event.”

However, being cared for by midwives who look like mirror images of each other has proved a source of confusion for some new and expectant parents.

Lindsay said: “People often think that they’ve met me before and will talk to me as though we’ve already had a conversation. We try and warn people to be aware that we have an identical twin in the same hospital.”

The BSc (Hons) Midwifery Studies programme – provided by the School of Health, Community and Education Studies – develops skilled midwives, able to operate in a constantly changing environment.

Programme Manager for Midwifery, Suzanne Crozier, said: “Lindsay and Sarah have been an asset to the programme since their first year, and all of the academic staff are delighted that they both achieved a first class honours degree.”