It was the Maternity Health Advisor Team who took this year’s Award for Putting People First - with two of the team being named as the driving force behind their achievements in just 12 months.

They were recognised for their outstanding contribution to supporting pregnant women across Calderdale and Kirklees.  

One of their key achievements over the past year was the dramatic reduction in rates of smoking at the time of delivery, which has fallen from 11% to 6.8%.  

Public Health Midwife, Kate Heighway, nominated the team. She went up on stage with Maternity Health Advisors Lucy Pendlebury and Naomi Hegney as they collected the Award and made it very clear that it was the work of the pair that has have driven the results.

She said: "It's down to these two ladies here that we've had these results. They've had so much to learn and such a different way of working - they've been amazing."

Lucy added: "We're saving babies' lives at the end of the day and that's what it's all about."

Some of Kate's nomination read: “They have made CHFT the Gold Standard within our Local Maternity and Neonatal System. They have an amazing ability to give women self-belief, where often more vulnerable women have never experienced it and they continue to support their success. They don’t realise how invaluable they are to staff, women, babies and families alike. They are truly exceptional.” 

Congratulations to our other finalists in this category, Mohammed Allah-Ditta, Victoria Evans, Andrea Gillespie and Pauline North.