The Alison Heffernan Award recognises excellence in maternity services. This year’s joint winners, Christine Charon and Catherine Martin, were selected following nominations from women and families who received maternity care from Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust over the past year.
Christine, who has been a midwife for nine years and works in our Wycombe community team, was praised for delivering consistently compassionate care with kindness and empathy. Nominators described feeling listened to, supported and reassured, particularly during high‑anxiety journeys. Christine was recognised for building strong rapport and continuity of care, advocating for families and proactively supporting both physical and emotional needs, helping families feel safe and confident throughout pregnancy and after birth.
Catherine, who has been a midwife for nearly eight years and works as a fetal medicine specialist midwife, was recognised for her calm, professional and caring approach. Families described how her presence helped ease anxiety during appointments and scans, and how her willingness to listen and respond made care feel personal and reassuring. Continuity of care and strong relationships were central to the feedback, with Catherine recognised for her kindness, approachability and consistent support throughout pregnancy.
On winning the award Christine said: “Winning the Alison Heffernan Award means the world to me. It’s a privilege to care for patients at such a special time in their lives, and I’m deeply touched that they took the time to nominate me. Their trust and kindness mean everything.”
Catherine also shared: “Receiving the Alison Heffernan Award is a real honour and a significant professional achievement. Providing care and support to families is a genuine privilege, and to have this work recognised in such a meaningful way is truly rewarding.” Michelle East, Director of Midwifery at the Trust said: “Christine and Catherine are both very worthy recipients of the Alison Heffernan Award. Their nominations reflect the compassion, professionalism and commitment they bring to their practice every day. They consistently place women and families at the centre of care, and I am delighted to see their work recognised in this way.”
he awards were set up in memory of the late Alison Heffernan, Chair of the Maternity Services Liaison Committee which is now the Bucks Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (Bucks MNVP).
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