11.05.11

 

A Trust Midwife has been highlighted at the British Journal of Midwifery Awards ceremony in the category ‘Innovator of the Year’. 

 

Asha Dhany was nominated for the BJM Award for her work in setting up an Aromatherapy and Massage Intrapartum Service for women in labour. 

 

On writing her MSc last September on the subject, Asha found that women in the aromatherapy group she was studying had improved birth experiences, reduced pharmacological analgesia in labour, reduced risk of caesarean section and improved neonatal outcomes. 

 

Asha explains: “After several years of setting up the service and 3 years of hard work on my MSc it is really rewarding to know that an innovation I initiated is having such positive benefits for mums and babies.  I was obviously thrilled to be nominated, short listed and come 3rd for Innovator of the Year Midwifery Award.

 

“I went to the ceremony with Assistant Director of Midwifery & Nursing Dawn Morrall, we both had a very enjoyable evening and it was a huge privilege to attend.” 

 

The award ceremony was held at opulent Palace Hotel Manchester and commenced with a champagne reception, followed by a five-course meal before the ceremony. 

 

Divisional Nursing & Midwifery Director Vivien Mortimore:

 

“Asha has provided inspirational leadership throughout: from introduction, implementation and evaluation of this innovative service. Her work has been transformational to the service and a great inspiration to our midwives.”   

 

The service is now widely available to all women and all our midwives within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT are trained in the use of aromatherapy oils and massage.

 

 

Asha continues to develop the service and the Trust now offers this choice to women who plan a home birth and those who choose to deliver in the Delivery Suite in the New Women’s Centre, Co located Birth Unit and stand alone Birth Centre.

 

Vivien continues: “There are many Trusts interested in Asha’s work and teaching package materials including interest from overseas.  We have the ‘Daisy’ cupboard for the storage of a range of essential oils in both Midwifery-led units and on the Delivery Suite for use by the midwives.  Asha continually updates and inducts new staff to the use and the benefits of aromatherapy oils and massage to enhance women’s experience of childbirth.

 

“Both the innovation and award have placed the Trust’s Maternity Services at the forefront of Midwifery Practice with National recognition. I am extremely proud of Asha and indeed all the staff who have supported and contributed to this development in practice.”