The Research Team are celebrating after dynamic duo, Becky Leon and Mel Struthers, won the Research Midwife of the Year award last week, scooping CHFT a second award in as many years* at the Clinical Research Network Yorkshire and Humber 2023 Research Awards.

Becky, who was also celebrating her birthday, said: “The standard of the entries was so high. To be honest we were shocked to even be in the finals - so to win was a major surprise."

The pair have worked hard to increase the number of studies across maternity services and were joined on the night by Research Nurses, Matt Robinson and Georgina Turner, who said: “I was really nervous for them as it seemed to take ages to announce their names!”

Interim Research and Development Lead, Tracy Wood, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that once again our Clinical Research contribution has been recognised regionally and our Research Midwives have brought home another NIHR award to CHFT.

"This is testament to the passion, drive and patient-centred care that our team demonstrates on a daily basis. Becky and Mel have done an amazing job engaging with our maternity teams to make a huge difference to the variety and availability of research opportunities for our maternity patients. A well-deserved award indeed.”

Becky added: ”Mel and I would like to thank Tracy for taking the time to nominate us - it really means a lot to us both."

*Last year’s win at the awards was for Divisional Director for Medicine, Dr Purav Desai as Principal Investigator of the Year.