University of Leicester honours midwife who used personal heartbreak to improve care of parents of stillborn babies

A pioneering midwife who improved care for mothers of stillborn babies has been honoured by the University of Leicester.

In 1973, Agnes Nisbett suffered the heartbreak of a stillbirth at Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI), a situation made worse by the way that her baby was taken away from her. 

She turned this tragedy to good effect by setting up initiatives to help other women in the same situation. The Born While Sleeping programme at the LRI, which included a dedicated ward for mothers of stillborn babies, was the first of its kind in the UK.

Thanks to Agnes, parents of stillborn babies are able to keep physical mementoes such as clothes, photographs and handprints, as well as knowing where their child is buried.

In recognition of her achievements, she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science at a graduation ceremony held at De Montfort Hall, today (Friday 16 January).

 Agnes said: “I’m deeply touched by this honour. My life’s work grew out of a simple belief that no mother should face loss alone, and Leicester gave me the chance to put that belief into practice. It’s the place where I turned my pain into purpose, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. I accept this degree on behalf of the mothers who trusted me, the colleagues who stood with me, and the community that has supported me for so many years.”

Agnes was born on the Caribbean island of Nevis and completed her nursing training on the neighbouring island of St Kitts. In 1959, she travelled to the UK on the advice of her matron, accompanied by her boyfriend James, and settled in Leeds where some of her relatives were already living.

As one of only two black nurses in St James’s Hospital, Agnes faced racism from both colleagues and patients, but relied on her Christian faith to deal with that and other hardships. 

In 1965, one year after marrying James, Agnes gained a position as a midwife in Leicester’s first specialist maternity hospital, Bond Street Hospital. She found that, as a black woman, she had to work twice as hard to prove herself. She was promoted to the post of sister, then became a community midwife, and eventually became a nursing officer at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, a position she held until her retirement.

Agnes’s contribution to maternity care, especially her work to improve care for mothers whose babies are born sleeping, together with her work to promote healthcare within the Caribbean community in Britain, has earned her a Pride of Britain Award and a TSB Community Hero award. She continues to be an active member of both her community and her church.

President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, said: “Agnes has been a true pioneer in her field, despite facing many personal barriers and setbacks. She overcame racism in the workplace to forge a highly successful career in midwifery and nursing, before turning her personal heartbreak into a determination to help others who experienced stillbirth.

“Many, many parents of stillborn children here in Leicester have received outstanding support in their hour of need, and that is down to Agnes – what a truly remarkable woman.”