Former LRI midwife wins Pride of Britain TSB Community Hero Award

"Agnes’ legacy has had a profound impact on our maternity bereavement care"

This year's Pride of Britain Community Hero Award has been won by a retired midwife.

Agnes Nisbett has been recognised for founding the Born Whilst Sleeping programme at Leicester Royal Infirmary in the 1980s – setting up a bereavement room for parents who had experienced stillbirth, providing them with a sanctuary to grieve.

The programme followed on from her own baby loss and she worked to improve the care of parents who faced the same heartbreaking experience of stillbirth.

In a post on social media Leicester's Hospitals said: "Agnes’ legacy has had a profound impact on our maternity bereavement care, where we now provide a 24/7 midwife led support service to parents who face baby loss.

"Not only is she this year's Pride of Britain winner, TSB also revealed it is donating £25,000 to install boxes in Agnes's name in the bereavement suite at Leicester Royal Infirmary, and all over the UK."

Agnes recently returned to the Kensington Building at LRI to visit the ward she used to work on. She said: “It is humbling to know that in your normal run of the mill daily life, people have recognised the importance of what I did.”  

Midwifery Matron Fiona Ford, who worked with Agnes before her retirement, said: "Although the building has changed since Agnes worked here, our bereavement suite is part of Agnes' legacy. She played such an important part in helping families navigate following the devastation of baby loss and it was a pleasure to see her again back on the ward on Friday. Her award is very well deserved, and I feel privileged to have worked with her!"