A midwife who was the driving force behind the development of a pioneering bereavement centre has received a national award, reports BBC News, West Midlands.

Alison Rea, senior bereavement midwife at Birmingham Women’s Hospital, was presented with the chief midwifery officer silver award last month.

The honour recognises midwives who have performed beyond what is expected of them in their everyday role.

Ms Rea was heavily involved in the creation of the Woodland House bereavement centre, which opened at the hospital in February.

It was developed as a dedicated space away from the main hospital for families who have suffered loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.

Ms Rea previously said the facility would “make a massive impact” for many families.

“Couples who lose a baby tell us that the spaces that we’ve cared for them in the past have affected them as they move forward in the future,” she said.

Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, and Sandra Smith, regional chief midwife for the Midlands, presented the award to Ms Rea at Woodland House.