Bedfordshire Hospitals’ Midwives win NHS England’s Chief Midwife Officer’s Silver Award

<strong>Bedfordshire Hospitals’ Midwives win NHS England’s Chief Midwife Officer’s Silver Award</strong> image

Home » News » Bedfordshire Hospitals’ Midwives win NHS England’s Chief Midwife Officer’s Silver Award

Professor Jacqueline Dunkley–Bent OBE, NHS England’s Chief Midwifery Officer, recently awarded three of our marvellous midwives at Bedfordshire Hospitals these coveted awards.

NHS England's Chief Midwife Officer's Silver Award

The Chief Midwife Officer’s Silver Award is awarded to midwives in recognition of exceeding the expectations of their everyday role.

The three winners included Michelle Causer, Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) Midwife, Jo Duke, Community Midwife and Louise Preston, Deputy Head of Midwifery at Bedford Hospital.

NHS England's Chief Midwife Officer's Silver Award

Based at our Luton and Dunstable University Hospital site, Michelle Causer, Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) Midwife was recognised for setting up an established Perinatal Mental Health pathway at Bedford Hospital and recruiting into a specialist post to continue the pathway.

Michelle said: “It is beyond overwhelming and very humbling to have received the award. It is such a privilege to work alongside a fantastic team and with some of our most vulnerable women developing pathways to enable them to have access to specialist services locally as well as always making sure that mental health has parity of esteem with physical health in maternity care.” Community Midwife Jo made headlines last year after undertaking a CO Monitoring Assessment on one of her then pregnant women which led to a boiler leak detention in the patient’s home. This early assessment by Jo potentially saved her patient’s, her unborn baby’s and her family’s lives.

NHS England's Chief Midwife Officer's Silver Award

On receiving this award, Jo said: “For me, I felt as if I was doing my job… to be recognised as going above and beyond for my patient and her then unborn baby is such an honour!

Jo continued: “My actions have definitely raised awareness around carbon monoxide poisoning and many pregnant women now ask during appointments if they can get their CO level checked.”

Deputy Head of Midwifery at Bedford Hospital, Louise Preston, was recognised for her leadership in the initiation and delivery of the midwifery international recruitment work stream.

NHS England's Chief Midwife Officer's Silver Award

Louise said: “I was overwhelmed to have received this award. When I joined the Trust in November 2020, I was heavily involved with writing job descriptions, getting jobs live on NHS jobs and conducting interviews and since then, we have recruited numerous specialist midwives, clinical midwives, and supported staff returning to midwifery along with nurses completing post-registration midwifery programmes. Looking at what has been achieved is amazing – particularly our international midwifery recruitment project.

Louise continued: “This project is the largest in the East of England and also in the country. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the support of our recruitment teams, practice development team and clinical educators. I am privileged to work with a great team, and this award is a great recognition of this work.”

Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE said: “I was honoured to be welcomed to Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to award Michelle, Jo, and Louise their well-deserved awards. Their efforts make such a difference to women, babies and families in their community, and I want to thank them again for being shining examples of our profession and for the excellent care they provide day in, day out.”

Director of Midwifery at Bedfordshire Hospitals, Emma Hardwick, said: “I am immensely privileged to be working with such wonderful midwifery colleagues across both of our maternity units. Louise, Michelle and Jo are fantastic examples of midwives whose outstanding contributions have had an immensely positive impact on midwifery as a profession, maternity services and most importantly to women, babies and their families. It was an honour to nominate them and for this to be recognised.”

Article from NHS Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

View all news

Latest news and highlights

News

27 June 2025

Local NHS waiting lists fall, new figures show

The number of people waiting over a year for NHS treatment in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes has fallen by more than half, new figures…

News

20 June 2025

Secretary of State officially opens new clinical space at Leighton Buzzard Health…

Seven new clinical rooms created to meet growing demand at Leighton Buzzard Health Centre were officially opened at a ceremony yesterday (Thursday 19 June) by…

News

17 June 2025

Celebrating Learning Disability Week: championing voices, and better health for all

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System (ICB) is supporting Learning Disability Week 2025 (16-22 June), shining a light on the experiences, rights, and aspirations of people with a…

News

11 June 2025

Bike Week 2025: Pedalling towards health – for us and the planet

During Bike Week (9-15 June), Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) is encouraging residents to take to two wheels – for better health and a greener Earth.…

News

9 June 2025

Men’s Health Week 2025: early diagnosis saves lives

As Men’s Health Week (9-15 June) commences, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) is urging men to prioritise their health by seeking early diagnosis for both physical…

News

6 June 2025

Local general practices offering 16% more appointments than last year

The number of appointments available at general practices in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes has risen again, according to new figures released by NHS England. The data – covering January…