NHS 111 health advisor recognised for helping to deliver baby girl

NHS 111 Health Advisor, Calum Forbes receives award and baby pin badge for his role in delivering a baby girl

An NHS 111 health advisor has received recognition after helping to deliver a baby over the telephone.

Calum Forbes had been working in the Bolton contact centre for North West Ambulance Service for less than two weeks when he took the exciting phone call.

He explained: “I got a call from a gentleman in the Manchester area who was the grandfather of the patient saying his granddaughter was in labour. I initially thought this must be early stages as they’ve chosen to ring us and not 999 or a midwife. Also he was so calm that it didn’t seem urgent at that point.

“But then I could hear all this screaming in the background and I thought hang on this isn’t just labour pains this is actually happening right now. Then the patient’s mother came on the phone, saying I think the baby is coming, I had already arranged for an ambulance crew to attend, but I soon realised then that we were likely to have to do this without them.

“I got them to get her comfortable with pillows, make sure there were plenty of towels to hand and to keep checking for baby’s head. It was crowning and we were at that stage for quite a few minutes, I was explaining what would happen next and trying to keep everyone calm.

“I was doing fine and I looked around thinking I should alert the nurses on hand as to what was happening over the phone but when I looked up they were already surrounding me for support if I needed it.

“Before we knew it the baby was fully out and crying, it was a baby girl. It all happened pretty quick and then shortly after the ambulance crews arrived so I left them to it.”

Calum, who has recently relocated from a London based healthcare agency was presented with a certificate and a branded stork pin badge, as part of the new initiative which rewards staff if they have assisted in the birth of a baby to mark the happy occasion. 

In the last month since the scheme has been launched, the trust has already presented badge to a range of staff who have assisted in 23 births across the North West.

The NWAS Communications Team issues the badges and certificates which are then presented to staff by their local managers.

111 Team Manager, Phil Goodman, said: “These situations are very rare within the 111 service and Calum did an amazing job that he should be very proud of. Having listened to the call Calum can be heard calmly reassuring them with advice and instructions for 12 minutes until the baby is born. It was truly amazing in all respects, it’s mind blowing.”

Calum added: “I remember saying at my interview about how calm I am under pressure and I feel like I proved it. People say I have a very calming voice and I like to help people when they are in need. I find it very rewarding.”