A DARENT Valley Hospital midwife has won a national award for her training programme.

Katie de Freitas scooped a Mary Seacole Award for her project aimed at improving maternity care for mothers from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups.

The award will help fund the scheme aimed at developing cultural competency in midwifery by listening to the needs and experiences of BME women.

Katie is inviting women from BME communities who are pregnant or have given birth at Darent Valley to join her focus groups for exploring how their care could be improved.

She said: "I’m absolutely delighted to have won this award. I’m passionate about all women receiving the care they need and I know there is more we can do to understand the needs of the BME population."

Katie’s manager Deborah McAllion added: "We are enormously proud of Katie and her astounding good sense in approaching this crucial topic."

If you are interested in joining one of Katie's focus groups please email katie.defreitas@dvh.nhs.uk or ring 01322 428100 ext 4906