The maternity department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital has been shortlisted for a Royal College of Midwives national award.  The department fought off stiff competition from across the UK to reach the final stages of the Maternity Service of the Year category.

Chief Executive of the RoyalCollege, Cathy Warwick said: “This year we have had a record number of entries for our awards and the standard has been phenomenally high, so I applaud NHSForthValley and its team on reaching this stage.

“It is vital that midwives and maternity services keep thinking about the services they offer mothers, babies and families, and continue to push boundaries and innovate, as this maternity service has done, so that they can give the most up to date care.”

The nomination cites the department’s consistent and constant approach to service development with women, children and families at the very core of everything they do. It adds that NHSForthValley’s Women and Children’s General Manager Gillian Morton has always encouraged her team to strive for that bit extra, and provides an environment which encourages learning and where development and innovation flourish.

The RCM Annual Midwifery Awards reward, celebrate and share outstanding achievement in midwifery across the UK.  They recognise the best new evidence-based practice projects and the best in team working.  They discover outstanding individuals making a difference for women, families and the newborn.

The Awards will be presented in London on Wednesday 22 January 22 2014 by television news personality Natasha Kaplinsky.