Emergency care assistant presented with award after dramatic home birth

Elliott Matthew, who is based in Stevenage, joined East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) in May, and was given the Stork Award for supporting in the delivery of a baby boy in September.

The highly sought after awards are only given to call handlers who support in the delivery of a baby over the phone, and frontline crews who attend births in the community if they meet strict national ambulance clinical quality indicators.

Elliott was dispatched with paramedic Hannah Driver to a woman in Knebworth who was in active labour.

He said: “Once we arrived it was clear the baby was nearly here. Mum was given entonox to help her through the process and just after our initial checks, I looked down at Mum’s blood pressure and when I looked back up the baby was already on his way out. Mum pushed all the way until she was past baby’s shoulders and that was it, baby was out.

“This was all possible with the help of Hannah, who guided me through every step of the way, seeing as it was my first birth, and I had no prior experience.”

The baby boy was born quickly with no complications and also shares a birthday with his sibling.

A midwife arrived shortly after and the team stayed for a few hours to make sure all was well.

Elliott added: “It was a special feeling to receive this award. It also means a lot to me to be recognised and receive something like this so early on into my career in the ambulance service.

It is also such an honour to be involved and be so close to see a new life taking place. I think being able to be a part of it is a beautiful thing and I would count myself very lucky if I get to be a part of another one again in my career.”

Sharon Spencer, maternity champion for EEAST, said: “It’s a real privilege to present these awards. These moments highlight the vital roles our colleagues play in the community, going above and beyond to ensure the safety and wellbeing of mother and baby.”