SHE IS the midwife who has brought smiles to thousands of people’s faces in delivering their babies.

After 41 years on the job at the Princess Anne Hospital, Sister Kay Duggan has been nominated for a Hospital Heroes award.

The midwife looked after the first mum to give birth at the Princess Anne Hospital, met royalty at its opening ceremony and delivered three babies who then became midwives at St Anne’s themselves and were featured on TV.

After a remarkable career, Kay retired last December, telling the Echo that she was grateful to have reached the age of 63 and that it was “really just her feet” that were stopping her from working.

After having been described as a “role model and inspiration” by her colleagues, she has now been nominated by patients for the Daily Echo’s Readers’ Choice Award.

The Daily Echo has teamed up with the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust to track down this year’s hero who has made a difference to patients’ lives.

Kay was chosen by Carole and John Carlow for saving the life of their daughter Helen following the birth of Helen’s first child, Jasmine

Carole, 73, a part-time receptionist, from Bassett, said Kay was the one who realised that Helen was ill after she had Jasmine in 2010.

She made sure Helen urgently underwent tests which showed she had brain and circulation problems.

Carole said: “Her care and her commitment was fantastic. She saved our daughter’s life.

“She retired in December but I think it is a good thing to nominate her to mark her work at the Princess Anne.

“This is our way of saying thank you for doing so much for us.”

Kay was also there to look after Helen when she had her second baby in 2013.

John, 73, retired, from Bassett, said: “She also worked tirelessly to ensure Helen’s second baby, Zachary, was born safely, with the many staff from different departments being kept informed

to prevent a repeat prob-

lem.”

“We are one of many who have found Sister Kay so brilliant. In our humble opinion she really does deserve an award.”

Kay is originally from London but came to Southampton in 1979 after training in the capital.

She became a sister in 1984, staying at the hospital for the next 32 years.

Now, thanks to Carole and John, the Shirley resident has been brought into the spotlight again.