A pioneering Leicester midwife whose own experience of stillbirth helped transform bereavement care for countless families has returned to Leicester Royal Infirmary to unveil a plaque honouring her remarkable legacy.
Agnes Nisbett, accompanied by her grandson, visited the maternity unit, 22 years after retiring from University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, to see the commemorative plaque installed on Level 4 of the Kensington Building. The plaque is next to the Bracken Suite – a dedicated home-from-home bereavement facility providing compassionate support for bereaved parents.
The plaque recognises Agnes’s pioneering work to improve care for families experiencing baby loss, a cause she championed throughout her 39-year career.
The visit was an emotional moment for Agnes, whose determination to improve support for grieving parents was shaped by her own personal experience.
In 1973, Agnes experienced the heartbreak of stillbirth when her son, John, was born sleeping. At the time, it was common practice for babies who had died to be taken away immediately. Agnes challenged that approach, asking to see and hold her son – a decision that provided her with precious memories and later inspired a lifetime of work to change the way bereaved families were cared for.
Following her return to work, Agnes was instrumental in developing services for parents experiencing baby loss. She pioneered the Born Whilst Sleeping programme at Leicester Royal Infirmary and established a dedicated space where bereaved mothers could grieve away from the main maternity ward.
She also introduced practices that are now widely recognised as an important part of bereavement care, including providing clothing for babies and creating treasured keepsakes such as photographs and handprints.
Many of the principles Agnes fought for remain central to the care provided today, with the Bracken Suite continuing to offer families a private and supportive environment during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Speaking at the unveiling, Agnes said: “Seeing this plaque here today is very emotional. I never wanted anyone to go through what I went through all those years ago, and it’s wonderful to see how much has changed since then and how supported women are now.
“It feels very emotional to see how far we have come. This has been my life and I feel it in my heart – that’s how important it is to me.
“I feel in such a privileged position to be a midwife and to have had my career. I worked at the hospital for 39 years and being a midwife never leaves you. I have people talk to me and open up to me about their births and I love that – it is a privilege.”
Agnes’s contribution to bereavement care has been recognised nationally. In 2024, she received a TSB Community Hero Award at the Pride of Britain Awards for her dedication to helping grieving parents, with judges praising her compassion and commitment to ensuring families receive the support and dignity they deserve following baby loss.
Born in St Kitts and Nevis, Agnes arrived in Britain as part of the Windrush Generation in 1959 before embarking on a distinguished career in nursing and midwifery. Throughout her time in Leicester, she became known not only for her clinical expertise but also for her kindness, leadership and unwavering advocacy for women and families.
Fiona Ford, Deputy Head of Midwifery at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “It has been lovely to be able to show Agnes the plaque and talk about the legacy she has created.
“When Agnes worked at UHL she was so well respected and she helped to train so many of us who still work here today. She really has had a lasting impact and that’s clear by how many people remember her and have fond memories to this day.
“It’s wonderful to be able to welcome her back and show her what a difference her work has had.”