Honouring midwives: a journey of compassion and dedication at WUTH

To mark International Day of the Midwife (5th May), Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) is celebrating the extraordinary dedication and career journeys of its maternity team—shining a spotlight on those who make a lasting difference to women and families across our region.

Among them is Jamie-Lee Hayes, who has been an integral part of WUTH’s maternity team since 2019. Jamie’s inspiring path from domestic assistant to bereavement maternity support worker, and now future midwife, captures the very spirit of this year’s theme: ‘Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis’.

Jamie began her journey as a domestic at Arrowe Park Hospital, and it was her placement in the maternity unit that reignited a passion for the profession. “I learned so much about the hospital in that role,” she recalls. “When a housekeeper position came up on the delivery suite, I jumped at the chance.”

Her dedication led her to successfully apply for a newly created role, bereavement maternity support worker—one introduced nationally following the Ockenden Maternity Review to improve care for families experiencing baby loss. In this emotionally demanding yet deeply meaningful role, Jamie provides compassionate support to those going through unimaginable grief. “It’s heartbreaking,” she said, “but it’s a privilege to help families create lasting memories of their little one. That’s a gift you can’t put a price on.”

Jamie credits the unwavering support of her team—particularly her manager Hannah Blake—for giving her the support and confidence to pursue her dream. She has now secured a place at Liverpool John Moores University to study midwifery, with the hope of returning to WUTH in the future.

“The midwives here are such genuinely kind and caring people,” she said. “They are everything I want to be.”

Jo Lavery, Divisional Director of Nursing for the Women and Children’s Hospital said: “Jamie’s story is one of dedication, compassion and resilience. It shows there are many ways to become a midwife, and every path brings valuable experience to the role. I wish her every success on her journey.

“I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our midwives who work tirelessly every day. Their skill, empathy, and strength ensure families receive the highest standard of care at one of the most important times in their lives.”

WUTH is proud to recognise the vital role of midwives this International Day of the Midwife, and to celebrate the dedication of those like Jamie-Lee who continue to shape the future of maternity care in our hospitals and our communities.

ENDS

Photo 1: Jamie-Lee Hayes, Bereavement Maternity Support Worker at WUTH

Photo 2: Jamie with baby Arty