Two dedicated members of maternity and family care staff at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust have been recognised at a national awards ceremony celebrating outstanding care for families affected by baby loss.

The trio, bereavement specialist midwife Nikki Galloway and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Dr Helen Collier were acknowledged for their excellence in delivering maternity and bereavement care at the Mariposa Ball and Awards held by Mariposa International, a charity supporting parents and families affected by babies miscarried or stillborn.

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The team picked up two special recognition awards, OBGYN of the Year and Bereavement Midwife of the Year 2026. These titles are awarded to truly devoted professionals who offer the compassionate care needed by individuals, couples and families who suffer the tragedy of baby loss.

Dr Helen Collier has been honoured at an awards ceremony for her work in the Rainbow Clinic at Burnley General Teaching Hospital, a specialist service that supports women who are pregnant again after baby loss.

Nikki, who is based at the Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre at Burnley General Hospital, was also honoured with The Arlo Award which recognises a medical professional who goes above and beyond in the level of care they provide. Nikki, who qualified as a midwife in 2014 and has worked in her current role since 2023 said: “Winning these awards means more than words can say. The honour reflects the families who have trusted me in their most fragile moments, the babies who are forever loved and the quiet strength that binds us in grief and

compassion.

“I carry this award not as a celebration of achievement, but as a tribute to every family I’ve walked beside – their courage is the reason I do this work and this recognition belongs to them as much as it does to me. I also want to acknowledge my incredible colleagues at ELHT who provide

bereavement care with such dedication, empathy and heart. Their support and the work we do together make this recognition even more meaningful.”

Bereavement specialist midwife Nikki Galloway, who is based at the Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre at Burnley General Hospital, has been presented with an award for going above and beyond in her profession

Nikki’s role involves supporting families with bereavement both in hospital and after discharge. This can involve helping with funeral arrangements, referring for counselling support or being there for the family to chat to. The team also arrange memory events throughout the year to remember babies with their families.

Dr Collier also received a special recognition award for her work in the Rainbow Clinic at Burnley General Teaching Hospital, a specialist service that supports women who are pregnant again after baby loss.