A MIDWIFE for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has been celebrating after winning an accolade for going the extra mile to support parents who lost a baby.

Rachel Thorpe, who works on the Central Birthing Suite at Burnley General Hospital, received the Birth Professional of the Year award, part of the nationally recognised Butterfly Awards.

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She was nominated by Joanne Edwards who she met in 2013 when she delivered her baby Luke, who was stillborn due to a rare chromosome disorder called Trisomy 13.

The emotional support given by Rachel lead to a firm friendship between the pair and she was honoured to be able to also deliver Joanne’s second child Toby James.

Joanne said she had been in awe of the support Rachel has given and said she was a “phenomenal lady”.

She said: “After delivering our angel baby Luke two years ago, she has become much more to our family than her daily role of a midwife.

“She has become a friend. Rachel is kind, empathetic and a tower of strength for parents after loss. She supports them, provides memories and always goes above and beyond.

“Knowing how anxious we were when we fell pregnant again, she ensured she was on duty to deliver our rainbow baby Toby James.

“She talked through our worries and ensured we were comfortable. Rachel is a very special midwife and we are delighted that she has won the award.”

Rachel said: “I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of all the midwives that work here. We all work extremely hard to support families who have suffered from loss.”