Two medical students based at Royal Cornwall Hospital have received a top award, following their research on pregnant women with heart problems.

Amy Hough and Luke Tanner, who are part of Exeter University Medical School, won the award from The British Maternal & Fetal Medicine Society.

They completed the research with Dr Aylur Rajasri and Dr Graham Stuart, in response to statistics showing cardiac disease as being the commonest cause of maternal death in the UK.

They looked at how a combined obstetric cardiology service could improve patient care and save money by holding conveniently located, joint clinics.

Previously, expectant mothers with known heart conditions would have been expected to travel to Bristol to attend a clinic for observations on their baby and themselves.

But Dr Aylur Rajasri and Graham Stuart worked around to set up a combined monthly obstetric cardiology clinic for women to attend.

The study took place with 30 patients who have used this service and evaluated the impact on pregnancy outcome, efficacy and safety of care and patient convenience.

Of the 30 patients who had major cardiac disease, 80% avoided travelling to Bristol for consultation, and 24 of these women were able to deliver their babies at Royal Cornwall Hospital, including 21 planned delivery dates and three who went into preterm labour.

None of the patients had any major maternal or neonatal complications, and the new combined service saves over £7,000 just for the outpatient appointment.

Dr Aylur Rajasri, from the Royal Cornwall Hospital, said: "The study Amy and Luke completed helps to highlight the importance of seeing and treating local pregnant women with heart problems here in Cornwall and we are thrilled that this has been recognised by The British Maternal & Fetal Medicine Society.

“The fact a high percentage of these women have then gone on to have their babies in Cornwall, means they have a more relaxed birth and are not far from other family members, during this special time.

"The data from this research hopefully will give us information to generate a business case to develop and sustain this very much needed service locally

“We wish Amy and Luke all the best at conference in March when their abstract will be among those considered for a prize.”