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Kathy Murphy otherwise known as the (Heywood Nurse), is the director of nursing and midwifery for Saint Mary’s managed clinical service and has been given a reputable award for her exceptional contributions to her work and midwifery services.

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Ms Murphy, now in her 40th year of working for the NHS as a midwife and nurse, began her training in 1987 following her friend who began training as a healthcare professional in October 1985. Kathy expressed how it was a surprise for her to win this award saying

“This was a surprise for me to win this award - it’s been a real team effort by our midwifery service staff across Greater Manchester.

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"This Chief Midwifery Officer’s Gold Award is not only my work but should be attributed to all my colleagues.

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“Our aim is to be the best across all three of our maternity units, on Oxford Road in central Manchester, Wythenshawe Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital.

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"We ensure that we continue to have improved outcomes for our women and babies.

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"I work with an amazing team and simply wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”

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Kathy was presented with this award by the Chief Midwifery Officer for England also known as Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent at a small and intimate ceremony at Saint Mary’s Hospital down Oxford Road. Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent who presented this award said, “It is clear to see that Kathy and her team are totally committed to their work.

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"Their innovative, dedicated and engaging approach has helped to further improve the quality of care for mums, babies and families across Manchester.”

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Midwife services are recognised as one of the largest in the United Kingdom, employing roughly 820 midwives and delivering 16,500 babies each year across three maternity units. Hospitals across the country welcome approximately 50 babies born every day.

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In addition, the maternity service also won the Royal College of Midwives Midwifery Service of the Year Award 2021 for the extraordinary standard and safety of care provided to women throughout the pandemic that occurred at the beginning of 2020.

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