The Minister made the announcement at the prestigious Royal College of Nursing Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year 2009 Awards ceremony in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast last night.
Iona McCormack, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in dermatology from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, won the prestigious title of Nurse of the Year for her work in the early detection of potentially life-threatening skin cancers.
Mr McGimpsey said "This significant investment reaffirms my intention to reduce bureaucracy, invest in front line services and get nurses back to the bedside. It sends a strong message of support which I know will be welcomed by nurses and the general public.
"I will now require Trusts to bring forward proposals on how they will secure the release of 20% of the Ward Sister's time to focus on the crucial patient indicators of quality, safety and patient experience."
Presenting Iona McCormack, with the Nurse of the Year Award the Minister said: ""I would like to offer my congratulations to Iona and to all those nominated for awards tonight. I am delighted to observe that the standard of care offered by all nominees and recipients continues to exceed expectations. We should all be very proud in Northern Ireland that we have such a talented, dedicated and compassionate nursing workforce who continually strive to improve the patient experience."
Iona practises as a clinical nurse specialist in dermatology at Belfast City Hospital and has established a unique nurse-led screening service in Northern Ireland for the early detection of potentially life-threatening skin cancers. The nurse-led screening service, in combination with an assessment of the patient's clinical history, has brought about improved patient outcomes.
Notes to editors:
1. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards is now in its 13th year. The awards ceremony is hosted by Linda Bryans.
2. RCN Nurse of the Year Award:
Winner: Iona McCormack
Runner-up: Angela Patterson
Student Award:
Winner: Avril Montgomery
Runner-up: Alison Boyd
Nursing Research Award:
Winner: Lesley Rutherford
Runner-up: Donna Brown
Team Manager Award:
Winner: Caitlin McCoy
Runner-up: Jacinta Larkin
Patient's Choice Award:
Winner: Hilary Thompson
Runner-up: Susan Bowman
Health Care Support Worker Award:
Winner: Carmel Neill
Runner-up: Iris Hamilton
Directors of Nursing Award:
Winner: Wendy McGregor
Chief Nursing Officer's Award:
Winner: Mary P. McNicholl
Runner-up: Yvonne Millar
Outstanding Achievement Award: The nurses serving with the 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital (Volunteers), Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan
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