Barbara is a Bereavement Midwife at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Three bereaved parents nominated her for the Elaine Thorp Award for Bereavement Care; Christina, Joanne and one other who has chosen to remain anonymous.
In her nomination, Joanne said: “Barbara has been our absolute rock since losing our baby. She always has time for us and our family and guided us so gently through the process of saying goodbye to our baby.
“We have since had two unsuccessful pregnancies and Barbara has been there every step of the way, holding our hands and there to hold us together when the worst happened. She is an incredibly special person.”
The second parent, said: “Barbara is literally an angel. After the birth of my baby who was born sleeping, Barbara introduced herself and was there for us emotionally, explained a lot of what happens next, and was there for us and our choices.
"Anytime you need Barbara she is always there. Barbara herself also makes that clear at the beginning whether it’s today, tomorrow or in years to come.”
For Christina, her son died in Great Ormond Street in 2021. She was in Belfast recovering from a c-section, so was unable to be with him.
She explained: "Barbara came and sat with me and talked to me. She arranged everything for the repatriation of my son and enabled me to travel to London to see him the day after he died. She kept in touch with me most days following and when I was pregnant with my rainbow and came into me on the day he was born. She also arranged counselling for me. She is great and I don't know what I'd have done without her.”
Barbara, who’s been a midwife for over 30 years, is passionate about good bereavement care to help guide families through their bereavement journey.
When describing how it feels to be nominated, she said: “It's hard to put into words because you grow close to the family when they're going through such an awful time and to feel that you've helped in some small way is a real honour and a privilege.
"I think it gives me confidence to know that what I am doing is helping families and it is making a difference. Sands have been at the forefront of change within bereavement care and, as someone who has worked for over 40 years in the NHS, I have witnessed that change and the difference it has and will continue to make to families and future generations. When you have worked for over 40 years in the NHS it gives you the courage and the strength to keep going. The nomination nurtures hope."
Barbara has been a Bereavement Midwife for more than six years now and feels like experiences during her career have led her to where she is.
"When I look back on my career, I think I was always being guided to this. It can be very challenging, it’s the hardest job I’ve ever had, but it’s the best job I’ve ever had. I hope when I’ve finished my midwifery career, that I will have made a difference."
Find out more about the Elaine Thorp Award for Bereavement Care.