Former Ealing Estate Agent Named as Midwife of the Year |
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Jacqui Martin switched jobs after being impressed by care she received December 7, 2023 A former Ealing estate agent has been named as Midwife of the Year after being prompted to change career by the care she received when pregnant. Jacqui Martin struck the care and compassion shown by her young midwife when she was having her third child. When she was ready to return to work, she abandoned her old job and decided to retrain in the same role. She said, “I just thought what an amazing vocation and began an access to nursing course a year after the birth of my daughter.” Jacqui ended up doing her midwifery training in the same hospital in which she had given birth. Her mentor turned out to be the midwife who had helped deliver her child. “I’m glad I had my children before I become a midwife,” laughs the mother of three who describes her early days as a midwife as both ‘exciting and scary.’ She joined Northwick Park Hospital 18 years ago and is currently one of five safeguarding nurses who look after the welfare and health and wellbeing of mothers and their babies. She specialises in substance abuse and regularly liaises with social services and other organisations ensuring mother and child get the appropriate support. “We serve a large diverse community made up of many different cultures and languages including asylum seekers and migrants. It brings its own challenges and we have seen a big upturn in people needing help during the cost-of-living crisis struggling to get essentials, such as cots and clothes. “It’s not an easy job but it is rewarding. I remember a nurse giving a presentation on safeguarding at my induction. I knew from that day that was an area I wanted to work in and here I am.” Her efforts were rewarded recently when she was the recipient of the Gwen Richardson Award, given annually to an outstanding midwife.
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