Every day, across our hospital, extraordinary people go above and beyond – not for recognition, but because they care. The You Made a Difference Awards shine a light on those moments of compassion, courage and commitment that truly change lives.
We're proud to share this remarkable story from February of this year.
You Made a Difference – Cleo Willsher - Midwife, Obstetric Close Observation Unit
Cleo joined the Rosie in 2018 as a Maternity Support Worker and began her midwifery training the following year. She graduated in 2021 with a first-class honours degree, completed her preceptorship working across all areas of the Rosie, and joined the Obstetric Close Observation Unit in 2023.
The OCOU cares for women with complex medical needs during and after birth. It takes a particular kind of midwife to work there well. Deputy Lead Midwife Jessica Meadows describes Cleo as exactly that.
Cleo consistently demonstrates the core skills required to deliver enhanced care to women with complexities, providing safe, compassionate and individualised care.
Jessica Meadows, Deputy Lead Midwife
The nomination for this award came from a patient who arrived on the OCOU after a difficult start. She had been transferred by ambulance following complications after delivery, and was exhausted by the time she reached the unit.
Cleo offered to sit with the baby at the nurses station so the parents could get some sleep. While doing so, she noticed that the baby's vomiting was more than routine and arranged for her to be seen by a paediatric doctor rather than go through A&E again.
The baby was admitted and at five days old had surgery for a duodenal obstruction, a condition where part of the small intestine is blocked and which, left untreated, would have caused serious harm.
Early identification made a real difference to how quickly the baby received the care she needed.
I truly believe she helped save my baby's life. I don't know how long it would have been until we realised what was wrong.
Patient nomination
Cleo was caring for a mother who had just come through a difficult birth. Spotting a concern with the baby, and making sure it was investigated, was not something anyone would have expected of her. She did it anyway.
Her manager points to this as typical of how Cleo works. She is thorough, she asks questions and she follows through. Those qualities, in this case, led directly to a baby getting the right treatment at the right time.
Her deep care, passion and proactiveness make her an incredible midwife. She is an absolute credit to Addenbrooke's and deserves to be recognised.
Patient nomination
Congratulations, Cleo. You made a difference.