A MIDWIFE from Chippenham has been recognised for her remarkable work and care after supporting a pregnant woman battling depression.

Pam Walsh received the Emma’s Diary Mums’ Midwife of the Year 2017 award for the South of England after being nominated by local mum Melissa Glover.

Miss Glover had previously suffered from depression and was supported by Miss Welsh through her troubles and her pregnancy, before she gave birth to her daughter Cora on May 7, 2016.

Miss Walsh, 46, who works for the Royal United Hospital in Bath, said: “I felt incredibly humbled and honoured that Melissa had taken the time to enter me for this amazing award.

“To me it isn’t just a job, it’s about building relationships with girls like Melissa.

“Understanding their problems and listening to their worries allows us to encourage and support them in the best possible way, ensuring they have the best starts with their babies.”

Miss Glover, 22, said: “I will never forget the first moment I met Pam. I was not in a good place, but Pam comforted me immediately and continued to do so throughout the course of my pregnancy.

“Pam gave me the confidence I needed to deal with my anxieties of loving my baby and becoming a single mother. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

A record 747 nominations were submitted to Emma’s Diary for one of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Annual Midwifery Awards.

Miss Walsh, along with six other regional winners, will attend a London awards ceremony on March 7, where she will collect her trophy and find out who is the overall national winner.

Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “What is so important about winning this award is that it comes from the mothers that midwives have cared for. There is no better indication of the quality of care than that of the mother, so Pam should be hugely proud of this achievement.

“She has gone above and beyond to deliver high quality, woman-centred care and I congratulate her for her commitment and dedication and for caring so much about the care she gives.

“All of us can learn from midwives like Pam. She is a shining example to me, and I hope for other midwives who will be inspired by her example.”