A Bristol midwife has received the NHS England Chief Midwifery Officer Gold Award for 50 years of outstanding service and achievements in the NHS.
Ann Remmers, the Maternity and Neonatal Clinical Lead at Health Innovation West of England based in Bristol, started her career as a midwife at Southmead Hospital working in both the hospital and community before progressing to become Clinical Director and Director of Midwifery at North Bristol NHS Trust and Clinical Director for the South West Maternity and Children’s Clinical Network. Ann has led numerous maternity and neonatal focussed improvements during her career, including the first free standing birth unit in Bristol, setting up the regional maternity dashboard and the South West Regional Perinatal Equity Network. Now working for Health Innovation West of England, Ann has been the midwifery lead for PERIPrem (Perinatal Excellence to Reduce Injury in Premature Birth) that is improving outcomes for premature babies across the South West and is currently the clinical lead for Black Maternity Matters, an anti-racist behaviour change programme for perinatal teams and senior leaders to expose and address racist perceptions and behaviours that impact health outcomes for women racialised as black and brown.
“Ann’s passion and commitment to improving life for mothers, babies and staff, means she is never afraid to embrace and tackle difficult issues head-on, and she leads professionals through change in an open and collaborative way,” said Natasha Swinscoe, Chief Executive Officer of Health Innovation West of England.
“Ann’s contribution to midwifery after 50 years in the NHS is invaluable and her continued determination and dedication to improving outcomes for women and babies is a thriving legacy that has changed maternal and neonatal care in our region and beyond. This award and recognition is very well deserved,” she added.
The Chief Midwifery Officer Gold Award recognises those with a distinguished career in midwifery who have been a role model to others, achieving the highest standard in their area of clinical practice, education, research or leadership and has made a significant contribution to the quality of care received by patients and their families. Ann received the award during a surprise celebration amongst friends and colleagues past and present.
Presenting the award, Rachael Glasson, Deputy Regional Chief Midwife for NHS England South West, said: “It is a great honour to present Ann with a Chief Midwifery Officer Gold Award recognising her outstanding contribution to improving maternity and perinatal care for women, birthing people, babies and their families. Whilst working in the NHS for 50 years is a phenomenal achievement in itself, what makes Ann stand out is her continued vitality, enthusiasm, passion, positivity and can-do approach to all that she does. She is such a worthy winner of this prestigious award and demonstrates how highly regarded she is as a colleague and friend to have been nominated.”
Ann commented: “It is such an incredible honour to receive this award for a career I have loved. Caring for mothers and babies has been an absolute joy and real privilege. I am lucky enough to have worked with so many incredible people and teams and to celebrate this award with them has been wonderful.”
Posted on December 2, 2024
