Student midwife apprentice receives national excellence award
A student midwife at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) has received a national award recognising her outstanding contribution to maternity care.
Janine Matthews, a Maternity Support Worker (MSW) and midwifery degree apprentice at ELHT, won a Chief Midwifery Officer (CMidO) Student Excellence Award in the category of Outstanding Individual Contribution. The award recognises the significant and outstanding contributions made by nurses, midwives, associates and apprentices across England.
Janine received her award during a surprise presentation on Monday, 13 July, presented by Jean Hayles, Head of Nursing and Midwifery, Health and Care Education Sub-Directorate, Workforce, Training and Education Directorate for NHS England North West.
The presentation was attended by fellow student apprentices and colleagues, alongside ELHT’s Deputy Head of Nursing Jane Pemberton, Divisional Director of Midwifery and Nursing Tracy Thompson, and Practice Education Lead Midwife Cheryl Lee.
Janine is one of the integrated Trust’s first cohort of midwifery degree apprentices and before beginning her training she worked as an MSW at ELHT for 10 years. She said: “I really wanted to be part of this amazing team and the midwifery degree apprenticeship gave me that opportunity.
“I’m shocked and overwhelmed to receive a Chief Midwifery Officer Award. The apprenticeship programme is really special and has given me the chance to develop my skills while learning alongside experienced colleagues.”
She was nominated for the CMidO Award following her actions during an emergency situation. Drawing on knowledge and experience gained through training and her previous role, Janine helped manage the situation and assist in the safe delivery of a baby. Her actions went above and beyond what would normally be expected of a first-year student midwife.
The award recognises individuals who demonstrate excellence in practice, improve patient experiences, champion diversity and inclusion and uphold NHS values through outstanding care.
ELHT’s Practice Education Lead Midwife Cheryl Lee said: “We’re all so proud of Janine and what she achieved. Janine is part of our first cohort of midwifery degree apprentices and to receive an award like this at such an early stage is outstanding. She is a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication, compassion and hard work. She always goes above and beyond and we are incredibly proud of her achievement.”
The midwifery degree apprenticeship programme allows colleagues to combine academic study with practical experience, helping to develop the future maternity workforce while creating new opportunities for people to pursue a career in midwifery.