A midwife from Luton and Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has won one of the UK’s top midwifery prizes at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Annual Awards. 

Mary Edmondson has won the RCM Members’ Champion Award sponsored by Thompsons Solicitors, for her work as a RCM Union Learning Representative (ULR). ULRs champion and promote training, development and union membership in the workplace. 

Mary won this award for her initiatives in the trust. These include re-galvanising the weekly maternity training sessions which now attract audiences of up to 30 midwives and other staff.  

Mary also launched a newsletter, and easy to use information for midwives on the new revalidation process that midwives have to complete to remain a practising midwife. 

Mary was presented with her award at the Royal College of Midwives Annual Midwifery Awards at a ceremony in The Brewery, London on the 7th March 2017.  The ceremony was hosted by journalist and broadcaster Natasha Kaplinski. 

Sheran Oke, Acting Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the Trust said: “We are extremely proud of Mary’s achievements – she has been an inspirational leader, playing a pivotal role in the promotion of learning and education in the maternity unit. She thoroughly deserves this award and we are delighted that the contribution she has made to midwifery has been acknowledged nationally.” 

Stephen Cavalier, Chief Executive of Thompsons Solicitors said: “With the government placing more and more pressure on the NHS, the RCM continues to play a vital role ensuring midwives are supported in their professional development and that their rights are protected in the workplace. We are delighted to support this award which recognises the fantastic contribution of RCM representatives. 

“Congratulations to Mary on winning the award: a fitting tribute to her excellent work in promoting learning and development through securing the enthusiastic participation of her colleagues, exemplifying the key role of the RCM rep at the workplace. We are proud to continue working shoulder to shoulder with representatives like Mary to provide legal support to this country’s hard-working midwives.” 

Cathy Warwick, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “This award celebrates the work of our workplace representatives and their value to the workplace and our members. In Mary we have a wonderful example of someone who works tirelessly to promote learning, which ultimately means better care for mothers, babies and their families. She is truly an asset to her trust, the profession and the RCM. 

“Her commitment and enthusiasm are appreciated by the RCM, and I know, by their colleagues who have benefited from it. I congratulate her heartily." 

To contact the RCM Press Office call 020 7312 3456 or email pressofficer@rcm.org.uk. To contact Luton and Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust call 01582 497 048 or email communications@ldh.nhs.uk.