Francesca Rees is the Lead Digital Midwife at University Hospitals Plymouth, where she plays a key role in driving digital transformation within maternity services. With a diverse background in midwifery, digital health, and global health policy, she brings extensive experience from previous roles with the European Union and United Nations, focusing on strategic communications and advocacy in support of human rights and sustainable development.

As a doctoral researcher, she explores the impact of electronic health records (EHRs) in maternity care, particularly regarding healthcare inequalities affecting marginalised populations. Her research aims to assess whether EHRs enhance care coordination or exacerbate disparities, while developing frameworks to engage service users effectively in the design of these digital tools, ensuring they deliver equitable care for all.