Published on: 10 April 2024
The George Eliot Maternity Bereavement Team has received prestigious national recognition for the incredibly important work they do to support parents who suffer from baby loss.
The team has been awarded the Bereavement Team of the Year award at the annual Mariposa Awards, which acknowledge the incredible work done by medical staff in the NHS supporting people who had gone through baby loss.
The award was presented to the team by the Mariposa Trust, more widely known by the name of its main division 'Saying Goodbye', who are a leading support charity working support of anyone affected by baby loss across the UK and globally.
Sam Collinge, Bereavement Lead Midwife at George Eliot said: “This is a huge honour and recognition of the hard work and dedication the team has put into providing care for parents at one of the hardest times you could imagine.
“I am delighted that our Bereavement Support Service at has been awarded the 'Bereavement Team of the Year'.
“It is the 3rd year running that we have won a national award and I feel extremely proud to be part of such an amazing team.”
The award follows a huge year for the service who has seen the opening of two refurbished maternity bereavement rooms George Eliot Hospital, providing essential support to bereaved parents or those who have received sad news following scan results.
Sam has also been at the forefront of the national development the new official government ‘Certificate of Loss’ for anyone who has experienced a pre-24-week baby loss.
This important piece of legislation is the culmination of a nine-year campaign and allows anyone who loses a baby before 24-weeks gestation to apply for a certificate in recognition of their baby’s life.
Natasha Stringer, Head of Midwifery at George Eliot, paid tribute to the Maternity Bereavement Team: “This award is a real testimony to the team and the exceptional way they provide care at one of the worse times in people’s lives.
“Their comforting and professional approach to creating the best service possible means that any parent who suffers baby loss at George Eliot is guaranteed to get the care and dedication they need with a personal approach.”