Newcastle midwife wins WaterWipes Pure Foundation Fund

Having worked for Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust for over 10 years, Elizabeth Leeming was nominated by her colleague Rachael Fazakerley for being a dedicated midwife, colleague and friend, who goes above and beyond for everyone she meets. Elizabeth has dedicated her time to helping pregnant asylum seekers, who are coming into the city and staying in temporary accommodation.

Elizabeth says of her win: “I am extremely grateful to Rachael for going to the trouble to submit an entry for me. I hope that by shining a spotlight on forced migrant maternal health, it will increase funding and service development for this vulnerable group of mothers here in the Northeast.”

Elizabeth will be donating her prize money to help fund work by the Newcastle Hospitals Maternity Department, which is helping to break down some of the barriers in maternity care.

WaterWipes received over 360 nominations for this year’s Pure Foundation Fund across the UK and Ireland. The UK winner was selected by a panel including representatives from WaterWipes and neonatal charity partner Bliss. This year’s Ireland winner was senior midwife Mairead Martin from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, reported in an earlier edition of the Infant news Bulletin.