Harriet Whyatt, a bereavement midwife at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, was honoured with a national CuddleCot award on 26 January 2026 for her work supporting grieving families at Tunbridge Wells Hospital (Pembury), Kent. The recognition highlights the emotional and practical support she provides to parents and families during some of their most difficult moments.
The award, part of the CuddleCot “Recognising Compassion in Practice” awards, recognised Whyatt’s dedication as a bereavement midwife. In her role at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, she helps families experiencing the loss of a baby by providing personal support and using resources such as the CuddleCot cooling device, which allows parents to spend more time with their baby after a loss.
Tracy Thresher, Matron for Delivery Suite and Maternity Theatres, paid tribute to Whyatt’s dedication: “Harriet goes above and beyond in her role and ensures each family receives the bespoke support they need to ensure they receive the best possible care through such a difficult time. Her award from CuddleCot is so well deserved, and recognises the support, compassion and kindness Harriet shows every day to bereaved families.” Whyatt said: “When families are going through the worst time they will ever experience, all you want to do is make their journey even slightly less painful.”
The achievement follows a year of improvements for the Trust: Tunbridge Wells Hospital’s maternity services celebrated an improved CQC rating and related media coverage during 2025. Other staff have also been recognised nationally — for example, maternity support workers Jenny Riley and Beverley Hynes were honoured in NHS England’s Chief Midwifery Officer’s Awards in October 2024.
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