A dedicated midwife and research champion who has spent almost five decades transforming healthcare has been honoured with the prestigious NIHR Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to midwifery research.
Viv Dolby, who will turn 68 later this month, described receiving the award as “an utter shock” and “incredibly humbling” when she was surprised with the honour at the NIHR Reproductive Health & Childbirth National Research Champions (RHC-NRC) meeting in March 2025. The award recognises her exceptional career spanning nearly 50 years in the NHS, during which she has been instrumental in establishing research infrastructure across Yorkshire and beyond.
“I’m very happy to still be alive because I could have had a heart attack when it was announced,” Viv laughed, reflecting on the surprise presentation. “But when I began to sit back and think about it, I felt such humility and happiness. I’m nearly at 50 years in the NHS and I still enjoy what I do.”
A Career Born from Childhood Dreams
Viv’s journey began with a childhood ambition to become a nurse. In August 1975, just days after turning 18, she left her home in Preston, Lancashire, to begin her general nursing training in Leeds – a journey that marked her first time ever catching a train or leaving Preston.
“My mother insisted I came to Leeds to do my nursing because I should leave home like she did and get a very good nursing training,” Viv recalls. “When I came for my interview in Leeds, that was the first time I’d ever caught a train. What a journey it was.”
Viv’s NHS and Research journey…
- Viv began general nursing training at Leeds General Infirmary, aged 18
- She completed training and returned to Preston for midwifery qualification
- Discovered her passion for midwifery during the one-year training programme
- Viv returned to Leeds as a staff midwife
- She was promoted to sister on delivery suite within 10 months – “unheard of these days”
- Viv joined community midwifery to achieve better work-life balance
- She provided comprehensive care including numerous home births
- Viv raised her three children whilst maintaining her midwifery practice
- Completed BSc in Midwifery Studies in 2000
- Completed MSc in Advanced Midwifery Studies at University of Bradford 2005
- Transitioned to full-time research role
- Supported by Professor Nigel Simpson and Professor James Walker and funded via the NIHR she re–established the Reproductive Health and Childbirth research team at Leeds
- Led Yorkshire and Humber region to become main recruitment area for Reproductive Health and Childbirth research outside London
- Supported every maternity unit across Y&H to have a research midwife
- Became first chair of the NIHR RHC-NRC Group
- Co-led the training programme for research teams in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for the InterPregGen Project, studying maternal genetic predisposition to hypertension and pre-eclampsia in pregnancy
- Brief 12-week retirement (including a stint at Marks & Spencer!)
- Returned as Audit Coordinator in gastrointestinal research
- Joined the Improvement Academy at the Bradford Institute for Health Research in March 2020 as Lead Midwife for the Yorkshire and Humber Maternal Enhanced and Critical Care (MEaCC) Audit
- Currently serves as Project Manager for Deterioration in the Maternity and Neonatal Safety Improvement Programme at the Improvement Academy
Breaking Barriers in Research
Throughout her career, Viv has been a pioneer in establishing research opportunities for midwives. She recognised early on that there were “only three career pathways” available – clinical, education, and management – and worked tirelessly to create a fourth path through research.
“There was a massive north-south divide in research opportunities,” she explains with less opportunity to undertake further education including leadership qualifications and PhD’s. There wasn’t that opportunity where I was, so we had to create it.”
Working alongside Professor Nigel Simpson and Professor James Walker from Leeds, Viv established the research infrastructure that transformed Yorkshire and Humber into a leading region for RH&C research within the NIHR portfolio.
Legacy of Leadership
One of Viv’s greatest sources of pride and joy has been the opportunity to mentor and support staff throughout her career. She has been instrumental in developing the next generation of research leaders, including Jenny Syson, Research Matron at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who has now taken over her national role as Chair of the RH&C Champions Group.
“What I’ve loved is being able to support colleagues and watch them grow,” Viv reflects. “I love thinking ‘you’ll be very good’ and then helping them develop. Any project I set up, I like to leave it in good shape and hand it over to someone competent to take it forward.”
A Lasting Impact
As we recall these amazing achievements from Viv’s remarkable career, she continues to work in patient safety improvement, bringing together all the skills and experience she has accumulated over five decades. Her journey from a young woman taking her first train journey to becoming a nationally recognised research leader exemplifies the transformative power of dedication, innovation, and mentorship in healthcare.
The NIHR Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting recognition for someone who has not only advanced midwifery research but has fundamentally changed how research is embedded within NHS maternity services. Her legacy will continue through the research infrastructure she established and the countless professionals she has inspired and supported throughout her extraordinary career.
The NIHR Lifetime Achievement Award recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to health and social care research over their career, demonstrating sustained excellence and impact in their field.
Find more about the amazing research happening at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on the Bradford Institute for Health Research website: https://bradfordresearch.nhs.uk/
