Liverpool Women's Hospital baby loss support worker Sarah Martin has won the 'Exceptional Support Worker of the Year' at the National ‘Our Health Heroes awards’
Sarah Martin Bereavement Support Officer has won an Our Health Heroes Award in recognition of her work supporting parents and their families whose baby has died as a result of molar or ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth or just after birth.
34 year-old Sarah Martin from Liverpool is part of the Trust Honeysuckle Bereavement Team, a service that cares for bereaved families following the loss of a baby from very early in pregnancy to just after birth.
The Honeysuckle Team is a small team with Sarah and two bereavement midwives who provide support across the Trust.
Sarah won the public vote due to her tireless work to meet and exceed the team’s ethos to ensure that positive memories are created by showing due diligence in all processes that ensure the last part of a baby's journey, however small, is carried out with compassion and dignity.
The death of a baby is a taboo subject; Sarah strives to break down this taboo subject by engaging with staff across the Trust. She supports all grades of staff with her expert knowledge of the legalities involved around bereavement services. Sarah actively listens, provides reassurance, guidance and comfort.
Sarah co-ordinates the annual Trust memorial service that takes place during Baby Loss Awareness Week and goes above and beyond to ensure everything is seamless and cohesive across to ensure that all Honeysuckle families are remembered.
Liverpool Women’s Patient Experience Matron Gillian Walker had this to say:
“Sarah is a unique, special person who is remembered by the people whose lives she touches. Sarah is honest, warm, open and more than anything: caring. Her energy and focus is second to none and an asset to our Trust. Sarah is humble and does not see how absolutely amazing she is.”
Speaking at a glittering Awards ceremony held at the Science Museum in London Sarah said: “I can’t quite believe they read my name out! I was quite shocked that I was even nominated and shortlisted. It’s a lovely thing to get recognised for what you do. People here today don’t do what we do to get recognised, but it’s just a lovely thing to learn that people do really care about what we do.”
See full list of winner and watch the awards here live Winners of Our Health Heroes Awards 2022 announced - Skills for Health
Our Health Heroes Awards 2022 is sponsored by Health Education England, SFJ Awards, NHS Employers, UNISON and Bevan Brittan. A full list of winners can be viewed here: https://skillsforhealth.org.uk/our-health-heroes-awards-2022-watch-live/