MIDWIFE ANNOUNCED AS WINNER OF NEW AWARD VOTED FOR BY MUMS

Dudley midwife, Hayley Darby is the overall winner of the new JOHNSON’S® Baby Mums’ Midwife of the Year Award, announced today at The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Annual Awards. Hayley was nominated by mum Karen Staves for going beyond the call of duty and, making a significant impact throughout both the pregnancy and birth of her daughter. Karen nominated Hayley for her care and attention during and after the birth of baby Maisie in 2009 at the Russells Hall Hospital, one of the three hospitals within The Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The RCM Annual Midwifery Awards exist to reward the excellence, innovation and impact of midwifery practice in the UK. Skincare experts JOHNSON’S® Baby have been involved in the Awards for a number of years, in its role as a key partner in the Royal College of Midwives’ Alliance programme. This year the introduction of the new award has taken the partnership further, as JOHNSON’S® Baby sponsor the first and only Award to recognise the impact midwives have on the people that really matter, mothers!

The winning midwives were nominated by mums whose lives they have helped, or had an impact on, and were judged by a carefully selected panel of mums and midwives. The judges considered, amongst other things, to what extent the midwife demonstrated best clinical practice, support for mum’s emotional care, and support for strengthening the bond between mum and baby.

Six winners regional winners have been announced, each winning an award for their region, with Hayley being selected as the overall winner. Hayley was chosen after demonstrating professionalism and high levels of care and attention during Karen’s labour, and helping her and her husband through a difficult first few days following the birth of baby Maisie.

Winning these awards enables the midwives to showcase the work they do to their colleagues throughout the RCM, their management and their local community.  Further to the honour of being selected each regional winner, and mum who nominated them, have been invited to attend a prestigious award ceremony in London, where the finalists will be presented with their Award.

Louise Silverton, Deputy General Secretary of the RCM commented, “All of the many amazing midwives entered by the mothers were worthy of winning this award. The judges felt that Hayley stood out as someone who deserved to be recognised for her fantastic achievements, and her work and dedication are a credit to the midwifery profession. We look forward to working with JOHNSON’S® Baby again next year to make the award an even better success.”

Yvonne Jones, Matron for Maternity, Russells Hall Hospital said, “We are delighted and proud to hear that Hayley has been awarded the JOHNSON’S® Baby Mums’ Midwife of the Year Award 2010. The nomination recognises the importance of the impact that midwives have on a woman’s experience of pregnancy, birth and the early days of parenthood. Hayley has demonstrated a combination of professional competence with an ability to develop a trusting relationship which is so important to women in labour. She clearly has the ability to connect with and communicate with women in a way that empowers and reassured them that they are safe in  her care.”