Lucy is a Midwife at The Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton, in the continuity of care team. She has been practising for more than ten years, and also worked at Saint Mary's Hospital in London.

She was nominated by a mother whose baby died, who has asked to remain anonymous. 

The mother said: “Lucy was my midwife throughout my pregnancy, and whilst she isn't a bereavement midwife she made such a difference to my care after my baby died. Lucy sat with me and helped me feel comfortable holding him. She made me feel safe and just sat there even if I had nothing to say.

“She went above and beyond to ensure that I was OK, and that my baby was looked after too.”  



Lucy said: “Our bereavement suite is outside of our labour ward, and when you go into that space with a bereaved family or a grieving person, you just have to kind of anchor yourself. when you have that that time when the door's closed, you can hold that space.” 



After the mother was discharged from the hospital, Lucy helped with arranging the funeral and was there to offer her support when she visited her baby in the bereavement suite. 

She said: “Lucy was able to reassure me that my baby was safe, even though he was in the mortuary. When I was finally ready to leave that day she helped me tuck my baby into his blankets ready for him to be collected again.  

“On my final visit to the hospital, Lucy gave me all the time I needed to say that final goodbye, and then offered to stay with my baby until he was collected to go back down to the mortuary, so that he wasn't alone.” 

The Elaine Thorp Award for Bereavement Care aims to recognise the vital work done by midwives, nurses, and other health professionals to care for parents affected by pregnancy loss or the death of their baby.