Four UHBW midwives recognised for exceptional contributions to maternity care

(Pictured L to R: Sarah Windfeld, Rachael Glasson, Lauren Welch, Laura Lewinson, Jane Holder and Sarah Dodds)

Four University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) midwives have received a national Chief Midwifery Officer award by NHS England. 

Laura Lewinson, UHBW’s first Diversity and Inclusion Midwife, has been awarded the Chief Midwifery Officer (CMidO) Silver Award for her work to address disparities in health and birth outcomes for Black, Asian, and marginalised women. Through education, inclusive policy reform, and working closely with community support and engagement groups, Laura has driven meaningful change, making a lasting impact across the Trust and the wider Bristol region.

Lauren Welch, Alice Shorrock, and Jane Holder have each received the (CMidO) for Maternity Support Worker Excellence.

Alice and Jane, who job share their role of Enhanced Maternity Support Workers, received their award under the working together for patients category, for those who consistently demonstrate the values of the NHS in supporting their healthcare support workers, maternity support workers, nurse, midwifery, and medical colleagues, to deliver the highest possible patient care.

Alice and Jane have transformed engagement with maternity services in Bristol’s global majority communities. Their outreach work has reduced late bookings and engagement in maternity services is positive. Their role, now permanently funded, includes supporting sanctuary seekers and contributing to UHBW’s application for City of Sanctuary accreditation.

Lauren received her award under the commitment to quality of care category, for those who contribute to the development of services for patients resulting in improvement of service provision.

Since joining UHBW, Lauren has quickly become a trusted and compassionate presence for patients and colleagues, providing exceptional care while supporting research initiatives such as the Generation Study. Her recent acceptance onto the competitive Midwifery Apprenticeship Programme reflects her unwavering commitment to maternity care.

Sarah Windfeld, Director of Midwifery and Nursing at UHBW, said: “I am extremely proud of the UHBW staff who have received these prestigious awards. All four of them have demonstrated amazing commitment to providing high quality care to the patients that use UHBW maternity services in the hospital and community settings.”

Rachael Glasson, Deputy Regional Chief Midwife for NHS England South West, presented the awards at a surprise presentation held at St. Michael’s Hospital.

Rachael said: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit UHBW to present Chief Midwifery Officer (CMidO) Awards to colleagues on behalf of Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwifery Officer for England. Huge congratulations to Laura, who received the CMIDO Silver Award for outstanding service to midwifery, and to Alice Shorrock and Jane Holder receiving CMidO Maternity Support Worker Excellence Awards for working together for patients and to Lauren Welch for commitment to quality of care. These prestigious awards are a testament to the dedication and commitment of Laura, Alice, Jane and Lauren in providing personalised care to families using maternity services, with a particular focus on families who may face adversity.”