Samantha Behagg, Lead Bereavement Midwife, at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, has been nominated for the 2024 Nursing Times Midwife of the Year Award.
Her nomination will come as no surprise to those familiar with Sam’s exceptional and compassionate care for bereaved families.
Sam provides support to families at all stages of the pregnancy journey across antenatal, labour, and postnatal settings. Her remarkable ability to create a safe and comforting environment for families facing unimaginable loss really sets her apart. She guides families through difficult decisions with grace and resilience, leaving a lasting impact on those she serves.
Chief Nurse Kelly McGovern says: "Sam’s nomination for the Nursing Times Award is a testament to her commitment to provide compassionate care during life’s most challenging moments. Her tireless efforts and extraordinary empathy make her a deserving candidate for this award."
Sam has led the Trust’s bereavement service through a remarkable transformation bringing her recognition both internally and beyond the local community.
She was shortlisted in the Trust’s annual staff awards in 2019 as a ‘rising star’ and received ‘special recognition’ for Bereavement Midwife of the Year in the 2024 Mariposa Awards. The Mariposa Awards celebrate excellence in bereavement care across the NHS and society.