A LEADING Huddersfield firm today confirmed plans to honour Britain’s midwives.
Nursery brand Mamas & Papas, of Colnebridge, chose International Day of the Midwife to encourage people working in the profession to nominate colleagues for the 11th Anniversary Midwife of the Year Awards.
The awards will be held in Huddersfield on October 1.
Celebrity guests are expected to include England rugby star Ben Cohen, who recently became the happy father of twin girls, and model Nell McAndrew who is the happy mother of son Devon.
The awards, also supported by the Royal Bank of Scotland, recognise the dedication and commitment, usually well beyond the call of duty, that is delivered day in and day out by practising midwives.
Richard Faulkner, the company’s Deputy Chief Executive, said they wanted to champion the unsung heroes of the NHS.
He said: “When we started The Midwife of the Year Awards 11 years ago we did so as we felt in our hearts that this silent service needed to be celebrated for the staggering work they do, even if they feel they are just doing their job.
“It saddens me to see that the industry is under more pressure today than ever and this is why the awards are more needed now than they were 11 years ago.”
The organisers of the awards have created two new ones for the 2008 event.
There will be a Student Midwife Bursary to allow a midwife in the final year of training to specialise in a clinic in the UK and also a Lifetime Achievement award to honour a midwife who has given lifelong dedication to the service.
Nomination forms are currently being circulated throughout the NHS and through nursing media to encourage midwives to celebrate those new to the service as well as those that have shown exemplary service over many years.
Parents are encouraged to nominate their own midwife and forms for parents are currently available in NHS clinics across the UK as well as from Prima Baby & Pregnancy magazine from May to July.
The forms are also available from Mamas & Papas stores and online at www.mamasandpapas.com/midwife.
The closing date for all nominations is August 15.
