Midwife 'amazed' with OBE in New Year Honours

A midwife who has worked in the NHS for five decades has said she was "amazed" to be appointed an OBE for her services to maternal and neonatal care.

Ann Remmers is maternity and neonatal clinical lead at Health Innovation West of England and last year was awarded the Chief Midwifery Officer Gold Award for 50 years of service in the NHS.

"I'm absolutely amazed," said Mrs Remmers, who began her career as a midwife at Southmead Hospital. "It's not something I ever thought I'd receive in my lifetime. It's such an honour."

Others from Bristol to be recognised include Serena Wiebe, 21, who has received a British Empire Medal, and teacher Steve Taylor who has been awarded a knighthood.

Most UK honours are awarded at the new year and on the monarch's official birthday in June.

The honours list recognises people who have made significant achievements and contributions to their communities across the UK.

Ms Remmers worked in hospitals and the community before progressing to become clinical director and director of midwifery at North Bristol NHS Trust, and clinical director for the South West Maternity and Children's Clinical Network.

She has led numerous improvements in maternity and neonatal services, including the first free-standing birth unit in Bristol, setting up the regional maternity dashboard and the South West Regional Perinatal Equity Network.

Ms Remmers is also the clinical lead for Black Maternity Matters, a scheme launched in 2021 for perinatal teams and senior leaders to expose and address racist perceptions and behaviours that impact health outcomes.

She is involved in several patient safety projects and is working to expand Black Maternity Matters beyond the West of England.

"I am totally overwhelmed that I have been nominated for this award by my organisation," she said.

"I'm looking forward to celebrating with my colleagues when I'm back at work next week. It will just be such a lovely thing to do, because they've all been part of it.

"It has been a joy to work in midwifery and perinatal services throughout my career."

Ms Wiebe has received a British Empire Medal for services to young people in relation to her work as an anti-knife crime campaigner and a boxing coach at Empire Fighting Chance.

She works with young people who are struggling with their mental health, involved in crime or have been to prison.

Talking about the issues the young people she works with face, Ms Wiebe said: "I think it's just a lack of opportunities for young people, because at the end of the day, it's always the root cause, it's not about young people being in gangs.

"It's about not having opportunities, not having a role model, not having someone to be there for you... it's just little things, and it doesn't even just come from the home, it's what you're exposed to."

Mr Taylor has been awarded a knighthood in recognition of his work to tackle educational inequality in the south west.

He is chief executive officer of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), a multi-academy trust founded in Bristol, but now operating 36 schools between Gloucestershire and Somerset.

During his 11 years in the role, the CLF has tripled in size to serve more than 18,000 young people.

The formal citation from the Cabinet Office said: "Under his leadership, CLF has transformed schools in East Central Bristol, once among the most underperforming areas, into thriving learning communities."

Mr Taylor said: "A real benefit of being recognised in this way is it puts teaching and education in the spotlight.

"It's just a fabulous career and I hear people grumbling about teenagers occasionally, and I just don't see it. They're such fantastic company.

"To have an opportunity to teach young people and see them develop, it's such a privilege."

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