TWO Hampshire doctors have been nominated as unsung heroes after they helped save the lives of a mum and her newborn baby.

New dad, Matthew Watts, 33 said that he will "never forget " Dr Shelley Haynes and Dr Neelam Gupta who cared for his partner Amanda Venters and their son Charlie after they both faced life threatening conditions after Charlie was born in November.

After Charlie was born following an emergency caesarean, Matt and Amanda were told that he needed to be treated for a significant lack of oxygen to the brain.

Amanda was also suffering from placental abruption and disseminated intravascular coagulation, a condition in which small blood clots develop throughout the bloodstream, blocking small blood vessels.

Matt said: "I didn’t expect to find both my partner and baby ventilated and on intensive care units, it was hard to believe we were in such a situation when things should have been so positive."

The couple and Charlie ,who are now fit and healthy have nominated Dr Shelley Haynes who cared for Amanda and Dr Neelam Gupta who cared for Charlie for the Daily Echo’s Reader’s Choice Award.

The award is part of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Hospital Heroes awards and we are searching for our very own hospital unsung hero.

Matt added "Consultant obstetrician Dr Shelley Haynes was on shift when Amanda was rushed to theatre and stayed on despite working the night shift.

" By the evening, she was back to see us in intensive care and constantly checked in on Amanda.

"She also regularly visited Charlie in neonatal intensive care.

"She had a presence and such confidence and we never felt in any doubt that Amanda was in the best possible hands."

Dr Neelam Gupta looked after Charlie's care and decided to use a treatment called cooling to increase Charlies oxygen levels to the brain.

Matt said:" She said upon first review of him they they didn't expect a good outcome.

"She said he had taken them by surprise and was off of ventilation within three hours and his brain activity had returned to normal levels after six hours.

""Both of these people played a huge part in both Amanda and Charlie’s recoveries and we will never forget them and their teams."

Dr Haynes, who lives in Winchester said: "The nomination was very unexpected but appreciated

"Everyone was just doing their job.

"It is always very much a team effort.

"I love my job because making sure both mum and baby are well is the most important thing."

Dr Gupta said: "I was humbled to find out about the nomination.

"When parents say thank you it makes everything worth while and it is motivating.

"Everyone works very hard and I am passionate about my job."

You still have time to nominate your hospital hero. A volunteer, a nurse working long hours, or a midwife bringing a new born baby into the world, are all worthy of a nomination.

To nominate, email georgia.jackson@dailyecho.co.uk, call 02380 284472, or write to Georgia Jackson, Daily Echo, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton, SO16 9JX