Midwife wins award after 51 years of service

Diane Hele was honoured for her dedication to the maternity ward

A nurse who has given 51 years of service to a maternity unit received its Midwife of the Year Award.

Diane Hele, 67, who works at West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, was chosen for her dedication and for being a “true icon in the field of midwifery, a strong advocate for women and providing exemplary care to pregnant people and their families”.

The award is presented annually in memory of midwife Hannah Seeley, who passed away in 2012.

Ms Hele said: “I feel honoured to have received this award having been nominated by my colleagues, and in memory of Hannah Seeley, who I worked with as a student and newly qualified midwife who I will never forget."

She added: “Working at the West Suffolk Hospital is very important to me, as it has given me the career that I would not change for the world."

Ms Hele, from Beyton, was 16 years old when she started work at West Suffolk Hospital in 1973 - before the site was even fully completed.

Kate Jones maternity care assistant was the recipient of the Support Worker of the Year Award

Maternity care assistant, Kate Jones, was the recipient of the Support Worker of the Year Award.

Ms Jones said: “I love being involved in the care of the ladies and families and being able to provide reassurance and support to them at a vulnerable time."

Student Midwife of the Year was Claire Jones who said she "felt honoured to have been nominated by my colleagues".

Karen Newbury, director of midwifery for West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Each year, we look forward to continuing Hannah’s memory through the ball and these awards.

"Each year, it seems harder and harder to pick the winners as so many in our teams do amazing work every day. However, Diane, Kate and Claire have been exemplary."

Claire Jones was chosen as Student Midwife of the Year said she looked forward to completing her studies and being a fully-fledged midwife.