A HUDDERSFIELD doctor has been named “a national hero” for work above and beyond the call of duty.

Kaly Bhabra, a consultant gynaecologist at the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, has won the ‘Hero Award’ for England and Wales in the Tommy’s charity’s annual Let’s Get Baby Friendly prizes.

She was nominated by a Huddersfield mum who had to undergo the trauma of suffering two tragic miscarriages.

Miss Bhabra received her award at a glitzy star-studded ceremony, sponsored by Danone Baby Nutrition, at the Langham Hotel in London.

The presentation was made by EastEnders star and mother-of-four Patsy Palmer.

Miss Bhabra was nominated by Katrina Cliffe, of Lindley, a marketing manager, for the support she received at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary during two pregnancy losses.

She was also praised for the ongoing support Katrina is receiving from the gynaecologist in her current pregnancy.

Katrina had a late miscarriage at 20 weeks and another one at just under 12 weeks in 2004.

She now has a daughter Stevie, five, and is 26-weeks pregnant with her second child.

She said: “After our loss, Kaly did everything to investigate the cause. I doubt that, without having her as my consultant, we would have Stevie.

“Especially as I know that a lot of losses aren't investigated until there has been a number of them”.

Miss Bhabra said: “I was shocked with the news of the award as I had not been expecting it.

“I am deeply honoured and feel humbled by the gesture from Katrina for nominating me.

“There are many obstetricians and gynaecologists working hard in the UK to improve the quality of care for mothers and babies.

“Premature labour remains a difficult area of management for us all.”

In England and Wales, ten babies are stillborn and some 290 women have a miscarriage every day.

The charity Tommy’s funds research into the causes and prevention of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.

It has research centres in Manchester, Edinburgh and London.