A nursery nurse at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) has received a Chief Midwifery Officer Award for her hard work and dedication in her previous role as a maternity support worker.
The Chief Midwifery Officer Awards have been developed to reward the significant and outstanding contribution made by midwives in England and has been extended to recognise the exceptional contributions of maternity support workers.
In order to receive the award, maternity support workers have to meet criteria that includes consistently demonstrating the values of the NHS, delivering high quality and compassionate patient care, ensuring patient respect and dignity, building good relationships with patients and championing equality and inclusion.
On Monday, 6 November, Suela Porja, maternity support worker at PAHT who moved into a new role as a nursery nurse, supporting younger patients and their families, was presented with the award by Matthew Fry, head of the maternity clinical network for NHS England and the wider senior midwifery team at PAHT. The award was presented on behalf of Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England.
Joanna Keable, deputy director of midwifery at PAHT, said: “Maternity support workers are at the heart of our maternity department and make a real difference every day to the lives of the mothers and birthing people they care for and the midwifery colleagues they support. They are integral to our workforce and I’m thrilled that Suela has received this well-deserved recognition and celebration for all that she does.”
An extract from Suela’s citation reads: “Suela consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that she meets the needs of women, birthing people and their families, both physically and emotionally.
“Suela plays a vital role in keeping families safe and comforted through one of the most life-changing events they may experience. With a friendly and calming approach to all those she comes into contact with, Suela immediately puts people at ease.
“Suela is highly-skilled and during her time within maternity she has taken on additional responsibilities and developed her skills further to support the midwives she works alongside.
“Suela’s adaptability and transferrable skills make her an asset to her team and colleagues. She is a role model to all within the NHS and her contributions deserve to be recognised.”
Suela said: “I’m honoured to have received this prestigious accolade. I wasn’t expecting this at all so it was a fantastic surprise.
“I feel so privileged that I was able to support women and birthing people as they embark on their new adventure into parenthood and now in my new role providing support to younger patients and their families.
“Thank you to my colleagues who I thoroughly enjoy working with and my senior leadership team who continue to support my professional development.”