YouTube-starring midwives are the pride of Rotherham Hospital

Joanne Cook and colleagues were shortlisted for the prize at this year’s Proud Awards, celebrating the best of the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

They were named the trust’s top innovators at a glamorous gala event held recently at Magna.

The team’s idea was a for an online service offering “Rotherham information for Rotherham families” and “24/7 information at their fingertips”.

Midwife Joanne said: “It’s fantastic that we’ve won this year’s innovation award.

“We are all very proud that we’re going to be able to turn our idea into reality.”

She added: “We want to ensure we can engage with all our families in a positive and effective way, so they have the best pregnancy experience possible and that every baby has the best start in life.”

The midwives narrowly pipped colleague Jenny Christie, of speech and language therapy, to the prize.

Her idea for a “mouth care matters” scheme aimed to reduce hospital stays and care home fatalities caused by poor oral hygiene.

Caroline Parker of palliative care and Fiona Hendry and Katy Flint of palliative medicine were also in the running with their innovative ideas.

The prize was presented by deputy chief executive Chris Holt, who said: “I think we need to follow up on all of these ideas.

“I don’t think it would be fair not to take them all forward.”