A gynaecologist who stepped in after her shift ended to save a mother’s life has been recognised for going above and beyond in her work.

Dr Saadia Shah is one of five finalists to be shortlisted for the Hospital Hero category in Medway Maritime’s Star Award.

The consultant has been based at the hospital since 2010 and says she loves looking after patients.

The 55-year-old said: “It’s very rewarding - the women come in pain and then they leave smiling with a baby in their hands - it’s a really good feeling.”

But her nomination for the KentOnline-sponsored award comes from a very busy Friday night shift which did not go smoothly.

As it was coming to an end, one of the registrars who was coming from London, ended up stuck in traffic.

Dr Saadia said: “The Blackwall Tunnel was closed because of an accident and she said ‘I'll be very late’ and I told her ‘I can't leave this hospital until you come in.’

“Then at 8.30pm a registrar was called to a lady who had miscarried and was bleeding excessively.

“I said ‘Okay, are you okay to take her to the theatre and do the surgical management?’ - I was waiting for the other register and covering the labour ward.”

But just two hours later Dr Saadia got a call that the mother was still bleeding, so she headed to the theatre room.

Within 15 minutes, Dr Saadia had stopped the bleeding and then debriefed the team as well as helping to administer blood and plasma transfusions - by the time they were done it was 1am.

But the doctor still didn’t leave. She then went to the woman’s partner and parents and comforted them, assuring them she was alive.

Speaking on her nomination after, Dr Saadia said: “It’s very nice to be appreciated for the work you are doing - I don’t expect even a thanks or anything because I think it’s part of my job.

“When I received the email I was in the middle of an elective caesarean section and I had to read it twice to believe it.

“I felt quite emotional - I’m really grateful.”

Last week we told the story of how fellow nominee Emily Brown is the world’s first hospital-based namaste care practitioner.

We will be publishing details of the other nominees over the next weeks, with the winner announced at a special ceremony on June 13.