A student midwife who chose her career path after the loss of her baby has won a national award from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) for her outstanding contribution to pregnancy loss and bereavement care.
Lauren Caulfield, a student at the University of Manchester, was named winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Pregnancy Loss and Bereavement Care category at the RCM Awards ceremony in London on Friday 6 February.
Lauren decided to become a midwife after the heartbreaking loss of her daughter and has since become a passionate advocate for improving how families are supported after pregnancy loss.
Her lived experience led her to co-design a digital bereavement clinical placement, created to help student midwives learn even when they may not encounter bereavement care during placements. The programme uses guidance, real parent stories and scenario-based learning to help students develop the language, confidence and sensitivity needed to care for bereaved families.
Since it launched, it has already supported more than 100 students and is now being evaluated during a pilot across multiple universities.
The judges praised Lauren’s clear message that bereavement care should be part of every midwife’s training, not treated as a separate specialty. She has worked closely with parents and charities including the baby loss charity Sands to make sure education reflects what families really need, and has helped create practical, accessible learning tools to build confidence for students and staff.
Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the RCM, said: “Lauren has taken a deeply personal experience and turned it into practical change that will help families across the UK. Her work is thoughtful, compassionate and focused on giving student midwives and staff the confidence to provide sensitive, consistent bereavement care. She is a hugely deserving winner.”
Speaking at the event after winning her award, Lauren said: “It’s really amazing to be recognised for the work I’ve been doing. I just really hope all the work I’m doing supports all the families across the country to make sure there is amazing and consistent bereavement care for every family.”
Margaret Walsh, Lead Midwife for Education and Dr Helen White, Senior Lecturer in Midwifery at the University of Manchester, said: “Congratulations to Lauren on winning this prestigious award. We are proud that Lauren has been recognised for her strong commitment to improving the support and care of women who have experienced pregnancy loss. Lauren has dedicated both her passion and commitment to improving bereavement care, using her creativity and innovation to find ways to support those who care for bereaved women and families.”
The RCM Awards are held annually and honour outstanding individuals in maternity care who have made a positive impact on women, babies and their families, showcasing world-class midwifery standards.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Top image shows Lauren, second left, with awards host Suzi Ruffell, RCM Scotland director Jaki Lambert, RCM president Sophie Russell and RCM Chief Executive Gill Walton.
- To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk
- The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team
