The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Foundation Impact awards, held on 21 September, recognise excellence in nursing and midwifery throughout the UK and in particular, recognising the dedication and expertise of nurses and midwives, who transform and shape the future of healthcare.
Maddie has made an extraordinary impact in neonatal palliative and bereavement care, supporting families with compassion, dignity and dedicated expertise. She has been instrumental in developing an integrated perinatal bereavement service, ensuring seamless, person-centred care across multiple services.
In June of this year, the Perinatal Bereavement team at St Michael's Hospital were also awarded with the Special Recognition Award for Bereavement Team of the Year at the Mariposa Awards 2026. As part of this, Maddie was also awarded with the Archie Award for Bereavement Professional of the Year.
The 9th to the 15th October 2026 marks Baby Loss Awareness Week, a time when we reflect and support those who have experienced the trauma of baby loss. Through her role, Maddie’s work in compassionate care continues to ensure that every family feels supported during the most difficult of times.
Her postgraduate study, supported by an RCN Foundation education grant, has further strengthened her skills and approach to bereavement care.
Reflecting on the funding, Maddie said: "I feel honoured and privileged to have been awarded the Trevor Clay RCN Foundation Impact Award. It was a lovely evening surrounded by inspirational Nurses and Midwives.
"Thank you to the RCN Foundation for the funding, which has helped me to care for bereaved families even more.
“I always wanted to specialise in bereavement and palliative care in a neonatal role. Without the funding, I wouldn’t have been able to do the first year of the course.
"The master's has given me a lot of tools which I’ve been able to share with my colleagues as there is always something to take away and be learnt."
Deputy Divisional Director for Maternity Services at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bonny Wood, said: "We are immensely proud of Maddie and this national recognition is testament to the ongoing work of the bereavement team at St Michael's Hospital in supporting families through some of their toughest journeys."
Chief Nursing and Improvement Officer at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Steve Hams, said: "Neonatal bereavement support is a crucial part of our Maternity care at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and I want to thank Maddie for going above and beyond in ensuring families are held in their grief.
"Through her commitment to palliative and bereavement support, Maddie exemplifies the dedication to exceptional care from our nurses and midwives across Bristol NHS Foundation Trust."
Deepa Korea MBE, Director of the RCN Foundation, said: “The Impact Awards are not just about recognition; they are about inspiration. Each story shared here reminds us of what is possible when commitment meets opportunity. This year’s eight awardees represent the very best of our professions – the life-changing interventions, the breakthroughs, the quiet acts of kindness and the everyday excellence that so often goes unseen. Congratulations to each of you.”
