Shannon Russell

Shannon Russell, one of our Bicester community midwives, received a DAISY Award in recognition of the exceptional compassionate care she provided on several occasions for a mother and her family over a very difficult few years in their lives which thankfully ended in joy.

Her nominator said: "Shannon has been an incredible light in our darkest years following the stillbirth of our son in 2021. We first met her as our community midwife at our local GP practice whilst pregnant with our son. When he passed away during labour, our worlds fell apart.

"We spent the next three days in the Bereavement Suite and Shannon happened to be working in the hospital on the final day of our stay. Alongside the bereavement team, Shannon provided us with the most compassionate and loving care. We learnt to cuddle, kiss, and embrace our beautiful son despite the circumstance. In the days that followed our discharge, Shannon made daily visits to our home, wiped our tears and sat with us in our grief - she truly went above and beyond to support us.

"On the day of his burial Shannon was once again by our side. She continues to speak about him and remembers the milestones that we grieve. We cannot talk about our experiences with our son without mentioning Shannon and her care.

"During the next 18 months we went on to lose two baby girls at 12 and 16 weeks. Again, Shannon was by our side and arranged to be my midwife in the hospital through the delivery.

"Through the hardest imaginable circumstances Shannon stood with us - going beyond any care we could have hoped to receive. She was gentle and sensitive to the multilayers of trauma that we experienced. We felt totally safe with Shannon and knew that she really understood our experiences and tried to meet our every care need that she could. Without Shannon we cannot imagine how much harder these experiences would have been.

"In 2023 we were pregnant again and while we hoped this would be our turn, we were terrified. Shannon had by this point moved to a new surgery and midwifery team but managed to get me registered with her.

"We had weekly appointments which sometimes consisted of dopplers and physical check-ins, and other times simply a chat and urine test. Shannon made time without fail to provide us with the reassurance that we needed to survive each day.

"My mental health really suffered, and Shannon continued to hold me up in the ways she was able, and the pregnancy progressed week by week. Shannon was always at the end of the phone - at all times of time of day to talk through any worry or questions. She was a phenomenal support to us.

"When a date for the elective caesarean was booked Shannon put it straight in her diary to be there to deliver our rainbow baby. It was arranged that I would be admitted to the hospital from 35 weeks and thankfully so as the baby's heart rate dropped significantly on the morning of 36+2 weeks, and I was rushed down for a category two emergency caesarean.

"Shannon was informed. Within 30 minutes of the call, Shannon was in the theatre by our side in scrubs that were too short for her, but the only ones she could grab. Shannon made sure to explain what was happening, and comforted and reassured us both throughout the whole procedure.

"Shannon passed us our miracle baby. Shannon has now become a big part of our story and family - Aunty Shannon is truly an angel to us and has gone above and beyond to walk this journey with us and do all she can to support us. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honour."

Congratulations Shannon and thank you for all you do.