In recognition of her stellar work caring for bereaved families, midwife Julie Wills of Bristol’s St Michael’s Hospital has been given the Elaine Thorp award from stillbirth and neonatal death charity, Sands.
Julie, who has worked in the NHS for 23 years, was nominated by two family members who described her as a shining light and praised her tailored care approach.
“I was taken aback to be nominated by a bereaved family or parent that I have had had the honour to look after and care for at a very emotional and life changing time,” said Wills.
“At the same time, I feel humble that I would have made such an impression on these families that they feel I need to be acknowledged for it.”
Sands’ CEO, Dr Clea Harmer, presented Julie with the award last month.
“We received more than 60 nominations for the Elaine Thorp Award this year, but Julie stood out to the Sands panel for being able to truly understand the needs of baby Aurora’s family and tailoring the care she provided to them,” said Dr Harmer.
Wills added: “I always say my job can be the best job in the world and it can be the worst job in the world, but I know that when I walk into the room I am going to provide my best care and hopefully guide each and every family through the journey that awaits them.”
The Elaine Thorp Award for Bereavement Care recognises midwives, nurses and other health professionals that care for parents that experience pregnancy loss or the death of their baby.
The award is named after Elaine Thorp who is described as a “true pioneer” in the space, after realising the need for better bereavement care in the 1970s before getting involved with Sands in the early 1990s.
Image credit: Sands & Karla Gowlett
