Latest news from nursing and midwifery

UHDB celebrates Kath Hulkorey's Cavell Star Award for exceptional leadership and compassion

Kath Hulkorey, Deputy Lead Nurse for Professional and Practice Development at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB), has been awarded the prestigious Cavell Star Award in recognition of her unwavering compassion, outstanding leadership, and dedication to nursing practice. In a heartwarming surprise ceremony, Garry Marsh, Executive Chief Nurse, and Stephen Posey, Chief Executive, joined colleagues to honour Kath's remarkable contributions. The event was planned by Barbara Day, former Head of Learning and Education on her final day at UHDB before retiring, who was Kath's line manager, along with Karen Hill, Lead Nurse for Professional Standards.

international nurses day 2024 latest news graphic

International Nurses Day 2024

Sunday 12 May is International Nurses Day, recognising the vital role of nurses in our NHS and providing compassionate and safe care to patients. Nurses make a difference to the lives of so many people and make a lasting impact on their health journeys.

Carol Adcock, Midwife

"I'm so proud to make a difference" - Midwife Carol reflects on her 47-year career for NHS 75

A midwife who has spent 47 years working in the NHS says she would "do it all over again" if she had the chance, as she reflected on her career as we mark the NHS' 75th anniversary.

Carol Adcock, 65, currently works as a midwife in Fetal Medicine at Royal Derby Hospital, and has known from an early age that she wanted to work in healthcare in some way:

internationally recruited midwives at UHDB

"It's a dream come true" - our Internationally Educated Midwives reflect on their journey to UHDB for NHS 75

As our NHS reaches its historic 75th birthday, we want to recognise the vital role that international recruitment has played in shaping the NHS into what it is today - and how it affects our future. 

Here at UHDB, internationally-recruited colleagues across our organisation play a vital role in delivering exceptional patient care. We are hugely privileged that talented people from across have colleagues from over 100 different countries, recently captured in our One World, One #TeamUHDB flag that was hoisted at our Royal Derby Hospital (RDH) site earlier this year >

We caught up with some of our most recent internationally-recruited midwives for NHS 75 - to hear about their journey to UHDB and their motivation for providing maternity care for our communities.

Meet your local midwives as part of International Day of the Midwife 2023 

Today is International Day of the Midwife 2023, a day for us at UHDB and across the world to honour, recognise and pay tribute to the remarkable work done by midwives all over the world. Midwives play an invaluable role in supporting women and babies throughout pregnancy and during childbirth.

Many people choose to become a midwife for a number of different reasons, and as part of our celebrations today, we've spoken with three UHDB midwives at different stages in their careers for them to explain 'Why I Became a Midwife' and what motivates them put on their uniform every single day to care for women and babies across Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

Perinatal mental health team

UHDB's Perinatal Mental Health team is a lifeline for pregnant women

To mark Parent Mental Health Day (Friday, 27 January) we are shining a light on UHDB's Perinatal Mental Health Team.

Just over a year old, this unique service was first run by Corinne Ward, Lead Midwife and Dr Rebecca Robinson, Consultant Obstetrician and Lead for Perinatal Mental Health, but has now developed into a bigger team made up of four midwives and two consultants.

Ali Naylor with baby Rupert

New mum thanks amazing midwives who helped her during difficult labour

A UHDB colleague who gave birth to her first child at the Trust has thanked the team of medics who she said delivered a ‘VIP experience’ when her dream labour plan “got turned upside down.”

Ali Naylor and her husband Will have shared their birthing story to highlight the ‘invaluable support’ midwives offered when things didn’t go to plan. They hope to raise awareness, provide reassurance and express their thanks to the team who delivered baby Rupert safely.

Fantastic new birthing pool facility opens at QHB for mums-to-be

Fantastic new birthing pool facility opens at QHB for mums-to-be

Mums-to-be in communities around Burton and Derbyshire can now have their baby in a new birthing pool room, which has opened at Queen’s Hospital Burton.

The cutting-edge facility features a fully accessible ergonomic pool, welcoming décor and dimmable LED lighting to help give parents the most relaxing experience possible.

Baby Harper Hughes pictured with her mummies

Couple thank amazing UHDB midwives after welcoming ‘miracle’ baby

A couple who went through IVF in the dreams of starting their family say they will be ‘eternally grateful’ to midwives at Queen’s Hospital Burton, who helped them on their journey to becoming mummies.

Nikki and Lauren Hughes have told of their joy at finally having their miracle baby girl Harper in their arms and feeling ‘complete’ after enduring fertility treatment and a difficult pregnancy.

The maternity team at QHB have won a Making a Difference Award

QHB maternity team given award for compassion shown to new parents

A team of midwives who provide care and compassion for people in labour, have been given an award for making a difference.

The Maternity team at Queen’s Hospital Burton, were presented with June’s CEO Making a Difference Award by Interim Chief Executive Officer Magnus Harrison, who called the team “a credit to UHDB.”

Olivia's waterbirth story

UHDB midwife Olivia shares her story of a waterbirth

A UHDB midwife who opted to have a waterbirth with her first child has told of the “beauty of being able to catch your child” and said she couldn’t imagine doing it without the water now.

Olivia Swaddle is a midwife at Royal Derby Hospital so when it came to the birth of her first child Annabelle, who better to deliver her daughter than her own colleagues.

She opted for a waterbirth and her baby girl was one of seven babies born in birthing pools across UHDB in May.

UHDB showcases maternity services to Midlands team

UHDB showcase maternity services to Midlands team

UHDB has welcomed NHS England’s regional maternity team to two of its sites as part of their Ockenden assurance visits to all maternity services across the region.

The team spent the day at Royal Derby Hospital on 17 August and the following day visited Queen’s Hospital Burton. 

Natalie Haw and Angela Thompson

Mum Natalie’s heartfelt thanks after baby loss

A new mum has thanked the UHDB staff who helped her through an “emotional rollercoaster” of a year that saw her lose her first baby and then later give birth again.

new mums and their babies

New mums thank RDH Maternity staff

Two new mums who developed diabetes during their pregnancies have thanked a “fantastic” Royal Derby Hospital midwife and her team for helping them bring their babies into the world safely.