THREE maternity staff from Poole Hospital have won national awards in recognition of their outstanding work in the field of midwifery.

The annual Royal College of Midwives’ awards, is a national initiative that celebrates outstanding achievement in midwifery across the UK.

Emma Cook, community midwife at St Mary’s Maternity Hospital, part of Poole Hospital, won ‘mentor of the year’, an award that goes to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding support, supervision and clinical practice skills towards a student or learner. Emma said: “I’m very honoured to receive this award.

“Passing on the knowledge we’ve gained is a privilege and knowing that we are helping to instil the building blocks of good practice to the next generation of midwives is a role I take pride in providing.”

Jillian Ireland, midwife, and Sara Fripp, maternity support worker, jointly won the members’ champion award, which is given to workplace representatives for their work on behalf of other members.

Jillian said: “The best part so far has been the reaction of our colleagues to the news of our win.

“St Mary’s Maternity Hospital is a great place to work; the whole learning committee are very supportive and constructive. We are very grateful to those that nominated us.”

Sandra Chitty, head of midwifery at Poole Hospital, said: “To have three of our midwifery staff win such prestigious awards is testament to their hard work and dedication to the profession, and to ensuring that women receive the very highest levels of care.”

The award ceremony held in London on January 22, had 15 categories with nominees across the country being shortlisted by their peers and colleagues.