The work of midwives from Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust has been nationally recognised at the Royal College of Midwives Annual Awards.
On Wednesday 25 January 2012, midwives Sue Hancock and Nicola MacPhail attended the award ceremony in London, where they were awarded the Pregnacare Award for Excellent in Initiatives in Improving Public Health and Inequalities.
The work, which has significantly improved the safeguarding practice in the Trust’s maternity service, ensures that vulnerable families receive early help, support and input from midwives and other agencies involved in their care.
The midwives at Derriford Hospital recognised that vulnerable families were often referred late on in pregnancy to agencies which could provide for their support needs. This often caused distress and anxiety and sometimes a mistrust of both health and social care services.
Improved training of maternity and neonatal staff and better communication and documentation means that families are more prepared, better supported and involved in plans that are put in place.
Any concerns are communicated to families early in order that early intervention and engagement with other agencies can be facilitated, often preventing the need for intervention from social services.
Where social care services’ involvement is required this now happens earlier so there is no confusion for families or health care providers when the baby is born and plans can be implemented with minimal stress or anxiety for everyone involved.
Midwives, Nicola MacPhail and Sue Hancock, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won an award and feel very proud that the success of this project, which has involved all of our maternity and neonatal staff, has been recognized at a national level by the Royal College of Midwives.
“This has been all about us realising that by changing what we do and how we work, we can improve the support to pregnant women and their families and reduce the anxiety they experience. The changes we have made have also benefited the staff involved. They have clearer pathways to follow and improved access to supervision and support.”
Cathy Warwick, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “This award highlights the important, innovative and pioneering work being done by Sue and Nicola. I congratulate their perseverance and commitment to the profession. It is important for people to know that midwifery does not stand still. When midwives are given the resources, support and freedom to develop their work, the result is better services, better care and better outcomes for mothers, babies and their families.”
Chief Nurse, Professor Sarah Watson-Fisher, added: “This well-deserved award is welcome recognition of the professionalism and dedication from the Trust’s midwives to often very vulnerable women and their families.”
The team were shortlisted to the final three out of all the entries received by the Royal College of Midwives for the national award in October.