A MIDWIFERY team helping women in Dumfries and Galloway who require additional support during pregnancy is in the running for national awards.
The WINGS team (Women Individually Nurtured Grow Strength) are community midwives who have in-depth knowledge and skills, and have increased time to be able to support women and their partners who need additional care during pregnancy and after they have their baby.
Reacting to the shortlisting in The Royal College of Midwives Awards, Specialist Midwife for Safeguarding and WINGS team manager Heather Innes said: “This is a fantastic recognition of the amazing work undertaken by the WINGS team, providing tailored care to women and their partners.”
Heather said: “All team members are hugely passionate about their role and it is brilliant to see their dedication acknowledged.
“The team was developed in 2019, in line with the Scottish Government’s Best Start implementation.
“The ethos is to deliver an individualised approach to midwifery care for women who require additional support with psychological and social factors.
“They focus on empowering women’s potential, whilst developing trusting and enduring relationships in the pregnancy continuum and within their maternity care pathways.
“The team hone in on measuring outcomes such as birth weights, gestations at birth and a secondary aim was that there would be an improved and earlier assessment of need and response to women linking to the longer term goal of giving every child the best start and reducing health inequalities overall.”
The WINGS community team of Marcia Mcmaster, Rhona Duncan, Joanne Clark and Victoria Dirom have been nominated in the category ‘Excellence in Midwifery for Public Health’.
Meanwhile, team member Victoria Dirom has been nominated and shortlisted as Maternity Care Assistant of the Year.
The nominations are notable as, across all 14 categories in this year’s awards, NHS Dumfries and Galloway is the only Scottish health board represented.
Reacting to her nomination, Victoria Dirom said: “It’s a huge shock but a lovely surprise to be nominated for such a prestigious award, and being recognised in this way is incredibly flattering.
“The work we undertake every day and the outcomes we witness is itself a massive reward. We’re really pleased that we’re able to help people who require that extra support during and after pregnancy, and we strive to do everything we can to help make sure they have all the help they need.”
The Royal College of Midwives Awards commend and highlight the best in teamwork and evidence-based practise projects, discovering outstanding individuals who have made a positive impact on women, families and their newborns, showcasing world-class midwifery standards.
Winning an RCM Award is recognised as one of the highest accolades within the profession, celebrating the very best in maternity care across the UK
The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at a special ceremony held on Friday 18 October 2024 at The Brewery, London.
Director of Midwifery for NHS Dumfries and Galloway Laura Boyce said: “The WINGS team do such a fantastic job, and the nomination for the team and for Victoria does cast a very deserved spotlight on the fantastic work being undertaken by all of our midwives in Dumfries and Galloway.
“I wish the team the very best for the awards event in October.”
