Midwife Returns to Hospital Where She Was Born, Works Alongside Her Former Midwife
In a heartwarming story from Elgin, Moray, a newly-qualified midwife, Leah Hobson, has begun her career at Dr. Gray's Hospital, the very hospital where she was born in 2004. Adding to the remarkable connection, she is now working alongside Carol Bennett, a community midwife who cared for her during her first weeks of life.
A Unique Reunion
Carol Bennett, a seasoned midwife, has delivered care to hundreds of babies throughout her career. She fondly remembers visiting baby Leah and her mother, particularly because of the two-month deliberation period before Leah was finally named. This connection has now come full circle as Leah Hobson joins the ranks at Dr. Gray's, working alongside the midwife who once visited her at home.
"It was lovely, we were involved in trying to find a name for Leah and it took a few weeks," recalled Carol Bennett. "We would come in with suggestions, we had a really nice relationship."
From "Pinkie" to Midwife
Leah recalls her mother's struggle to choose a name, resulting in the temporary nickname "Pinkie." Despite the delay, Leah feels her mother made the right choice. From a young age, around 9 or 11, she was inspired to become a midwife. Witnessing the births of her niece and nephew solidified her ambition, leading her to pursue a midwifery degree at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen.
Restoring Maternity Services in Moray
The reunion comes at a pivotal time, as Dr. Gray's Hospital is undergoing a recruitment drive aimed at restoring full maternity services in the Moray town. Services had been downgraded in 2018 due to staffing shortages, forcing expectant mothers to travel to Aberdeen for births. The hospital is now working towards a full consultant-led maternity service by the end of next year, marking significant progress with the recent resumption of planned Caesarean sections after almost seven years.
A Dream Realized
Leah describes her first day at Dr. Gray's as "surreal" and expressed her desire to contribute to the improvement of local maternity care. Similarly, Carol recalls bumping into Leah during a placement in Inverness. Both women now frequently interact at work.Leah hopes to give birth at Dr. Gray's herself, reaffirming her commitment to the hospital and the local community.
Future Plans and Community Impact
Leah said improving maternity care locally was important to her. "It was one of the big motivating factors for me coming here, to be part of that, and kind of grow with the service. It will benefit the community massively when it gets upgraded."
