A RAMSBOTTOM doctor has received a national award for making a diagnosis that saved the lives of an expectant mum and her unborn baby.

Dr Gordon Mackinnon, who practices at Ramsbottom Health Centre, was nominated for The Tommy’s and Danone Baby Nutrition Hero Award, by his patient and first time mother Kylie Hodges.

The Tommy’s & Danone Baby Nutrition Hero Award recognises the support of three different health care professionals from across the UK who have gone the extra mile for parents during pregnancy complications.

Kylie nominated 59-year-old Dr Mackinnon for the support he gave her when pregnant with her son Joseph, in 2009 after she developed pre-eclampsia - a life threatening condition.

Kylie, 39, of Lichfield Drive, Bury said: “I first went to see Dr Gordon to confirm my pregnancy when I was eight weeks pregnant. He explained that my body type and high blood pressure could make me a candidate for a condition called pre eclampsia.

“At 27 weeks I developed full blown pre eclampsia, and my baby was born weighing 1lb 7oz.

“As it turns out my GP, not only is trained in obstetrics, he has had premature babies of his own.

“I credit my GP with saving my life, because I knew nothing about this horrible condition, and he was my "go to" person.”

Thanks to Dr Mackinnon’s treatment, Joseph, who is now two and a half, was able to go home after 76 days in the special care baby unit at Bury’s Fairfield General without any long-term health problems.

Judges of the Tommy’s baby charity ‘hero’ award agreed Dr Mackinnon had gone beyond the call of duty and he was presented with the award at a ceremony in London.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I am very happy to receive this award. We sometimes forget that our job is always about people and I am very happy to have helped at this time."

Pre-eclampsia affects four million women around the world every year and kills about 70,000 mums-to-be.

The charity Tommy’s is funding research into the condition at one of its research centres at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester.