24th June 2024
A District Nurse, Senior Health Care Assistant and Palliative Care Nurses have all achieved success at the prestigious Royal College of Nursing Awards for Northern Ireland.
Nurses from Care Home Support and Occupational Health also made the final which was held in the Culloden Hotel, Belfast.
Catherine Shannon, District Nurse from the Arches District Nursing Team, received the ‘Patients Choice Award’. Catherine was nominated by one of her patients for her kindness and reassurance. The RCN judging panel commended Catherine’s bond with patients and her capacity to treat the patient and not just the disease. The panel also noted her listening manner and capacity to provide high quality holistic patient care.
Robert Mulligan, Senior Healthcare Assistant from the Neonatal Support Team, received the ‘Health Care Support Worker Award.’ Robert was nominated for the high standard of care he gives not only to patients but also for their families, and the support group he has set up for new fathers. The judging panel recognised Robert’s advocacy skills and his capacity to treat people as individuals.
Roisin O’Toole, Assistant Service Manager from the Care Home Support Team & Alyson Wilson, Clinical Nurse Co-Ordinator for the Palliative Care, Care Home Support Team, both received the ‘Palliative Care Nursing Award’. Roisin and Alyson were nominated for leading the development of effective palliative care being delivered in the care home setting. The judging panel commended Roisin and Alyson for “an excellent example of patient-centred care”.
Suzie McCullagh, Occupational Health Nurse Specialist, was recognised as being the Runner Up for the ‘Nurse of the Year’ award. Suzie was nominated for her exceptional contribution to Occupational Health Nursing. The judging panel commented on Suzie’s role as a champion for public health nursing in general and occupational health nursing in particular.
Sharon Adamson, Lead Nurse in General Surgery, was a finalist for the ‘Nurse of the Year’ award. Sharon was nominated for her commitment and dedication to building and development a new nursing team and unit successfully, with 100% patient satisfaction. The judging panel commended Sharon’s role in reimagining a service and providing a template for how nursing can drive the transformation of acute care.
Brenda Creaney, Director of Nursing, said:
“I am delighted with the success of the Belfast Trust Nurses and Nursing Assistants at this year’s RCN Nurse of the Year Awards. I am truly proud of all their achievements. They are fantastic ambassadors for all we do as nurses, across many fields of practice in Health and Social Care. Well done to you all and thank you for all you do, every day.”
Briege Quinn, RCN Northern Ireland Board Chair, said:
“These awards provide the opportunity to highlight excellence within nursing in Northern Ireland and the contribution that nursing staff make to the health and well-being of the people of Northern Ireland.”
