Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust colleagues win prestigious award
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust colleagues, Emma Lesley (Maternity Support Worker), Rachel Mangundu (Perinatal Pelvic Health Specialist Midwife), and Ellie Perfect (Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist) were all named winners at the prestigious RCM Awards last week.
Organised by the Royal College of Midwives, the RCM Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in midwifery across the UK.
Emma was awarded ‘Race Matters unsung hero – maternity support worker or student’ for her work setting up an innovative support hub to help women and families through the cost-of-living crisis. She located, collected and delivered essential items such as safe bedding and warm clothing, as well as offering emotional and physical support.
Commenting on her win, Emma said: “At Lewisham, it’s very much a team effort. We don’t just nurture the women and families, we nurture each other. It’s a great job, really rewarding and I’m happy to go to work every day.”
The South East London Perinatal Pelvic Health team – which includes LGT colleagues Rachel and Ellie – also received the ‘Partnership and Team Working’ award.
The south east London service incorporates Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and is a collaboration between maternity and women’s health physiotherapy services to identify and treat pelvic floor dysfunction in maternity patients.
Commenting on their win, Rachel said: “Ellie and I have been leading on this project for the Trust, but it really is a team effort. We launched the outpatient clinic in November last year and have already received an unprecedented number of referrals which shows how very much needed this service is.”
Ellie added: “The positive response we have had from setting up this service has been amazing. We are thrilled that we have been able to help women who for so long have been unheard."
Shirley Peterson, Divisional Director of Midwifery and Nursing, Women’s, Children and Sexual Health, said: “We are very proud of Emma, Rachel and Ellie’s achievements, and their unique contributions to the maternity services at LGT. Congratulations to all!”
Photo credit: Royal College of Midwives