The hard work and dedication of midwives at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised with a special celebratory awards ceremony, held on International Day of the Midwife.

Taking place on Thursday 5 May, International Day of the Midwife marks the role that midwives play to ensure women and babies receive the quality care that they deserve. To celebrate, members of staff working in midwifery teams across Good Hope, Heartlands and Solihull Hospital as well as in the community were invited to an awards presentation.

Staff that demonstrated excellence in; midwifery care, compassion and kindness; midwifery leadership and innovation were recognised with a certificate and chocolates.

Among those recognised included supervisor of midwives, Natasha Stringer who was awarded the Leadership and Innovation award for her passion and commitment for driving a project to provide opportunities for women giving birth in theatres to have skin to skin contact, hugely improving patient experience for these women.

Community midwife, Joanne Smith received the student midwifery mentor of the year award.  She was put forward for the award by a student midwife she had mentored for her approachable and positive attitude and going above and beyond the call of duty of ensure the members of her team are well supported practically and emotionally.

Joy Payne, head of midwifery at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The passion and enthusiasm of our staff is really something to celebrate and International Day of the Midwife provides the ideal opportunity to give our staff a special treat. We are very proud of our staff and the compassionate care they give to all women and their families that come into the Trust. We wanted to recognise their unwavering commitment to a job that is not always easy.”