A MIDWIFERY assistant from Okehampton Hospital has been praised by the Prime Minister for going beyond the call of duty in her commitment to the town's maternity service. Sarah Tabiner was one of three maternity staff from Devon to go to 10 Downing Street last week to meet Tony and Cherie Blair at a special reception. The three staff were each nominated by their colleagues to be among 120 outstanding midwifery workers from around Britain who met the Prime Minister. Sarah has worked at Okehampton's maternity unit for five years and was one of the first midwifery assistants to be based at the hospital. In that time, she has increased breast-feeding in the hospital's catchment area, so that 90% of mothers in and around Okehampton now breastfeed — compared with a national average of just 70%. Sarah said: 'The Prime Minister spoke to us all individually and was very friendly. He also gave a speech thanking everyone formally, and explained about Number 10's history.' She added that the Devon team had given Mr Blair a pen to promote breast-feeding awareness week, which started on May 13. 'He seemed interested in what the benefits of breast-feeding were, so we had a chat to him about it,' she said. The midwifery staff also enjoyed a tour of number ten, and saw the cabinet room and the famous staircase where the portraits of previous Prime Ministers hang.