AN Aberystwyth midwife has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s Birthday Honour List.

Carys Davies, is a Senior Midwife and Neonatal lead at Gwenllian Maternity Ward at Bronglais Hospital.

She was awarded the BEM for services to midwifery, particularly the work she has done supporting care of neonatal babies and their families in such a rural area of Wales.

Sharon Daniel, Interim Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience, said: “I am delighted that Carys has been honoured for her years of dedication and hard work with a BEM – it is thoroughly deserved.

“Carys is an extraordinary asset to maternity services in Ceredigion and has been for nearly three decades.

“She has taken the lead in training midwives in neo-natal stabilisation, which is a vital element of our service. Bronglais Hospital is based in a very rural area of mid Wales. Midwives are required to stabilise babies born needing additional assistance until the neonatal transport team arrive.

“Carys has taken the lead on training midwives in neonatal stabilisation, and she is recognised within the team as an expert in this field.

“Thanks to her tireless efforts in training and supporting staff, more midwives are gaining competence in this aspect of the practice. Carys’s outstanding commitment to the service has been sustained over many years and has indisputably saved babies’ lives."

Dr Neil Wooding, Chairman of Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “I am incredibly pleased that Carys has been recognised with a BEM for her service to midwifery.

“Carys has dedicated nearly 30 years to midwifery and is a role model to all those who have worked with her in this time.

"She understands the needs of the community and how to deliver the very best care to those living in remote and rural areas.

“Thank you so much, Carys, for your tireless service and ongoing commitment to health and care in west Wales.”

Carys said: “I was very surprised yet delighted to hear that I have received the BEM. I didn’t expect it at all. It means so much to me that my colleagues at Bronglais thought that I was worthy of this award.

“I have worked as a midwife for 29 years and enjoy passing on what I have learned about neonatal care to my fellow midwives. We are all driven by a wish to provide the very best care to the families and mums-to-be in our care, especially when they need a little extra help.”