Midwives are increasingly performing the newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE), particularly now the new Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) education proficiencies are inclusive of the systematic examination of the newborn infant.1 This article, the third in the series, considers the importance of the examination of the hips in this screening process. The significance of history taking, knowledge of risk factors and the hip examination are explored. The necessity for early detection and treatment of hip abnormalities, along with referral pathways that Public Health England requires, are highlighted. The impact of late detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip on the lives of families and children are also considered.

Birmingham City University’s (BCU) midwifery department is proud to be developing monthly issues of Gas & Air, a visual and exciting communication aid helping to nurture a strong sense of community during a period of immense difficulty and isolation for student midwives. What began as a simple newsletter in the first wave of the Coronavirus outbreak has developed into an online resource with multiple pages, co-produced by both midwives and students.

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As the role of the midwife continually evolves and expands, midwives are increasingly performing the examination of the newborn. With a focus and national drive on providing continuity of care in conducting the newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE), many midwives view this assessment as a natural extension to their role1 and continually strive to provide high-quality, individualised care. In the penultimate edition of this five-part series, we consider the importance of the examination of the testes in the screening process. The significance of relevant history taking, knowledge of risk factors and a detailed examination of the testes will be explored, along with referral pathways in line with the requirements of the national screening programme. The impact of late detection and poor referral of undescended testes on the lives of children and adults will also be considered.

Performing the newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) is now recognised as part of the midwife’s sphere of practice. The majority of higher education institutions currently provide, or plan to include, NIPE training into their pre-registration curricula1 and many qualified midwives are embracing the NIPE role through undertaking continuous professional development modules.2 In the first of a five-part series, this article considers the importance of the eye examination in the screening process. The significance of history taking, knowledge of risk factors and the detection of the red reflex will be explored. The necessity for early detection of congenital cataracts, retinoblastoma and glaucoma, and the prerequisite referral pathways that the examination requires will also be highlighted.