Last week the Maternity and Midwifery Forum’s Wales and South West England Festival took place at Bath Racecourse. Take a look at the winners from the Wales and South West England Maternity and Midwifery Trailblazer Awards Ceremony. The Awards recognised outstanding achievement and commitment to maternity and midwifery services over the past year across Wales and South West England region.
Narrowcast Media Group produced, filmed and live streamed the Awards Ceremony on the day. You can watch back the ceremony on-demand today and catch up on all of the action from the day that you may have missed.
Watch the ceremony (below) and take a look back at some of special moments from the day in this article.
Watch the awards here: https://vimeo.com/1010387619
Midwifery Practice Leader Trailblazer Award
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Amy Lewis
Specialist Perinatal Midwife – Perinatal Mental Health Team
Betsi Cadwalder University Health Board
Amy Lewis, Specialist Perinatal Midwife, Perinatal Mental Health Team and Sarah Davies, Perinatal Midwife, Betsi Cadwalder University Health Board
The only two specialist perinatal mental health midwives at Betsi Cadwalder University Health Board. There role has focused on those with most complex mental health needs.
As part of their role they have developed:
- comprehensive education programme that aims to equip midwifery staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and support women experiencing PMH difficulties.
- Delivered institute of health visiting perinatal and mental health modules leading to development of perinatal mental health champions
- Developed social networks for staff to improve staff wellbeing and team working
Midwifery Practice Leader Trailblazer Award
WINNER
Ailsa Gill
Lead Professional Midwife Advocate
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Ailsa Gill, Lead Professional Midwife Advocate Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Ailsa is described as being very visible and engaged in a range of activities that support staff well-being, regularly travelling to the community sites to ensure staff feel valued and cared for– challenging given the geographical constraints! She is commended for her ‘open door’ policy and welcoming environment, and being accessible digitally.
She has worked hard to develop the team of PMAs, expanding the team and providing exceptional support and education
The dedication, motivation and exceptional leadership she has demonstrated is well respected within the unit and should be nationally recognised as we all have really appreciated her inspirational, committed leadership.
Midwifery Education Trailblazer Award
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Dr Kate Nash
Lead Midwife for Education
University of Winchester
Dr Kate Nash, Lead Midwife for Education, University of Winchester
Nominated for her tireless work to buid a new Pre-registration midwifery programme, working collaboratively with clinical partners and stakeholders to develop an optimal programme. Described as inspirational to both students and her peers.
Thank you, Kate, for all your hard work and dedication, for making a difference every single day.
Midwifery Education Trailblazer Award
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Elizabeth Crisp
Senior Lecturer in Midwifery and Safety Science
Staffordshire University
Elizabeth Crisp, Senior Lecturer in Midwifery and Safety Science, Staffordshire University
For dedication, commitment and services to midwifery education and improving safety in midwifery practice. Undertook a concept analysis on maternity ‘near-misses’; worked with NHS resolution on learning from harm; secured a grant from The Health Foundation to work with Human Factors experts and NHS Trusts to Co-design maternity investigations systems using a Human Factors approach. Lizzie has gathered data on student attrition towards improving retention.
Clearly a committed midwife
she works tirelessly but never forgets to check in and support colleagues with her compassionate and kind energy – a truly inspirational, tenacious and courageous individual!
Midwifery Education Trailblazer Award
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Susie Rhind
Maternity Quality and Governance Practitioner
North West Ambulance Service
Susie Rhind, Maternity Quality and Governance Practitioner, North West Ambulance Service
Has completed paramedic training, and is lecturer in paramedic practice.
Leads on maternity care/ and emergency care of women and children. Is also la newborn life support instructor
She is part of the National Maternity Leads Group, working with maternity leads from multiple trusts nationally, contributing to workstreams to update national guidelines and support methods to improve care
Working to steer the prehospital care provision for women and newborns, supporting ambulance colleagues which will ultimately improve women’s experiences in the prehospital arena
Susie is a role model and inspiration to many Paramedics and Midwives, her approachable and charismatic demeanour alongside her passion to support, educate and improve prehospital maternity and newborn care is infectious
Midwifery Education Trailblazer Award
WINNER
Carla Jayne Avery
Associate Professor for Midwifery and Lead Midwife for Education (LME)
Buckingham New University
Carla Jayne Avery, Associate Professor for Midwifery and Lead Midwife for Education (LME), Buckingham New University
Developed new innovative course for pre-registration: described as dynamic and engaging-Countless measures have been put in place to support students and increase learning flexibility. fosters a supportive and open learning space where student and academic voices collaborate- course provides students with the experience and opportunities they need to support the families they will care for with exceptional consideration for minorities and vulnerable individuals.
Midwives like Carla often work tirelessly and quietly, positively impacting countless students, midwives, Trusts etc. The work Carla does has an ongoing ripple effect far past her own students. Carla deserves recognition for the incredible contribution she makes to improving and maintaining quality care for families that receive maternity care.
If you would like to make an award nomination for your colleague or yourself, please use our online form here, and we will see you at the next festival event of the series – FREE Scotland Maternity and Midwifery Festival – 26 November, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh