Maternity unit staff recognised with national awards | News

Four members of staff in our Trust’s maternity unit have been presented with special awards from the Chief Midwifery Officer for England.

Maternity Support Workers, Tina Harding and Lisa Holmes, and midwives, Lauren Read and Kate Conway, were presented with Silver Chief Midwifery Officer awards and Maternity Support worker awards by Kate Brintworth in a special visit last week.

Tina, Infant Feeding Support Worker, has been at Royal Surrey for 27 years. She said: “I’m shocked and touched. I really love working as part of a team and having the opportunity to give women the care and support that they need on their feeding journey.

“I can only do that with the support of all my lovely colleagues and members of staff that have supported me.”

Kate said: “I am overwhelmed, it was so unexpected. It’s down to people like Clare and Amy who give me the flexibility and freedom to do my job.

“I couldn’t do it without everybody supporting me. I love working here. This is as much my family as my own family is.”

Lauren, who was nominated for her work leading the maternity service’s first international recruitment venture, added: “I’m shocked. I didn’t feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary. It’s not until someone says something that you realise it has so much of an impact.

“I love my job and I love it here. This is why I love my job – because I love working at Royal Surrey.”

Meanwhile, Lisa said: “I am completely overwhelmed. I wasn’t expecting it at all. It’s incredible. I have worked here for 15 years and it’s such a lovely place to work.

“All the staff are so welcoming. It feels like this is my second home.”

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and Chief Midwifery Officer (CMidO) Awards were developed to reward the significant and outstanding contribution made by nurses and midwives in England and their exceptional contribution to nursing and midwifery practice.

The awards have also been extended as part of Dame Ruth May’s commitment to recognising the contributions of healthcare support workers (HCSWs) and maternity support workers (MSWs) who consistently demonstrate the NHS values in their everyday roles.

Amy Stubbs, Professional Director of Midwifery and Nursing said: “I am hugely privileged to work with such a dedicated and talented bunch of midwives and support workers who continually strive to ensure the care we provide to women and families is of the highest standard. This recognition is so well deserved and they are a credit to the trust and the profession.”

Pictured above from left to right: Lauren, Tina, Lisa, Kate Brintworth, Kate Conway, Jo Mountjoy and Amy.