West Suffolk hospital names its midwives of the year
Three members of the midwifery team at West Suffolk Hospital have been recognised for their outstanding work.
The winner of Midwife of the Year was Jacqui Clarke, Support Worker of the Year, Kimberley Morton-Smith, and Student Midwife of the Year, Frances Porter.
The annual awards are held in memory of Hannah Seeley, an exemplary midwife who worked at the Bury St Edmunds based hospital and tragically died in a road traffic accident in 2012.
The winners were nominated by colleagues and the winners chosen based on the number of nominations received.
Although the trust was unable to hold the usual awards ceremony due to social distancing, the winners were presented with their trophies individually.
Jacqui Clarke has worked at the trust since 1987 and was nominated for going 'above and beyond' for both colleagues and mums.
Jacqui said: "It felt so special that my colleagues had made the effort to vote for me in what has been such a busy and sometimes difficult time for us all.
"I had the pleasure of working with Hannah, so it has an extra special meaning to me as she was a lovely person and a great midwife."
Support worker of the year, Kimberley Morton-Smith, joined the trust in 2019.
She was nominated her for ‘friendly and approachable’ manner, and for being a 'fantastic asset to the team'.
Student midwife of the year award, Frances Morter, is in her third year of her placement.
She was nominated for the ‘passion’ and ‘dedication’ she shows when caring for both mother and baby.
Karen Newbury, head of midwifery, said: “As everyone is aware, 2020 was an incredibly challenging year for us all, but our amazing maternity staff have pulled together as they always do and continue to make us so proud.
We received many strong nominations, and the fact almost 2,000 sets of parents have chosen to have their baby here in 2020 is a fitting testament to our inspirational staff.
In the face of so much adversity this year, Jacqui, Kimberley and Frances have still truly gone above and beyond.
"I want to personally thank them for their dedication to parents and their babies over the year.
"I would also like to thank Hannah Seeley’s family, who have yet again supported these awards.
"Hannah was a role model midwife and beautiful person inside and out.
In the past two years, West Suffolk Hospital's labour suite has been refurbished introducing new en-suite facilities, to ensure a welcoming and modern environment for both parents and staff.
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