Jane Cleary, consultant midwife at the Royal Sussex County Hospital based in Brighton, has been honoured with the reputable Chief Midwifery Officer award for her significant and outstanding contribution to midwifery practice.
The Chief Midwifery Award is awarded to healthcare professionals for “going beyond the expectations of their everyday role, demonstrating excellence in clinical practice, education, research, leadership and focusing on diversity and health inequalities”.
Ms Cleary said, “I was overwhelmed and delighted to receive the Chief Midwifery Award for my contribution to Midwifery,” “I have loved working within maternity services and remain passionate that we strive to listen to women and their families' experience of pregnancy and birth to inform our services.
“The role of a midwife in women's experiences is fundamental and it is vital we recognise and raise the profile of this valuable profession for safe and positive outcomes for all women.”
Jane has been a Midwife for more than thirty years and was one of the first midwives nationally to begin an in-house birth trauma service, which supports mothers after a traumatic birth. Birth stories were created in the year 2005 and saw expectant mothers and birthing partners self-refer up to a year after birth if they wanted to talk to a professional about their birth trauma and allow them to vocalise their fears or worries, they had.
“It was a success from the word go, and it continues to be with a dedicated team at Royal Sussex County and Princess Royal hospitals” said Katie Christie, consultant midwife and close colleague of Jane.
Ms Cleary continues to advocate for mothers and their families, which she uses as part of her education and training role for doctors and midwives.
She has supported numerous women, parents and their families through pregnancy and birth, giving exceptional care and compassion to each of her patients.
One mother that Jane looked after said: “During the day of my daughter's birth, my midwife Jane was with me. She helped me decide to have another c-section, in the best interests of my baby and myself. We shared similar emotions about the way midwifery had progressed over the years and it was her genuine concern over this and her testimony to my courage in speaking out that helped confirm my decision to go ahead with the operation.”
Jane was presented with her award by Jessica Read also known as Deputy Chief Midwifery Officer for NHS England as well as, the Deputy Chief Midwife, Angela Velinor.
