Nurses and midwives in pole position to deliver high quality care
Friday, 4 June 2010Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has said that nurses and midwives are in pole position to deliver high quality care to patients.
The Minister was speaking at the annual Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year 2010 Awards ceremony, which this year took place on the centenary of the death of the pioneer of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale.
The prestigious title of Nurse of the Year was awarded to Donna Keenan, a Ward Sister who works in the Cardiac Assessment Unit, Tyrone County Hospital, Western HSC Trust.
Speaking at the event at Culloden Hotel in Holywood, Michael McGimpsey said: “Donna is to be congratulated on the Award of RCN Nurse of the Year. Donna has worked as an inspirational leader to develop a nurse led cardiology service for patients in the Omagh area. This is an excellent example of how services can continue to be delivered at a local level.
“I have heard many examples this evening of excellent care provided by our nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers and I am proud of their achievements. They are all to be congratulated on their hard work and continued dedication to providing the highest quality care for patients, while working under difficult circumstances and with limited resources.”
Addressing an audience of around 300 health service leaders, politicians and RCN members from across Northern Ireland, the Minister highlighted a range of investments that have recently been announced, ranging from mental health and maternity services through to services for children with complex needs and patients with circulatory and respiratory diseases.
He said: “These investments will have a direct impact on nurses and midwifes, who will be required to lead, develop and deliver these services.
“In Northern Ireland, the focus has been on developing and strengthening the role of the ward sister. I am committed to ensuring that they have all the necessary authority, help and support needed to carry out that role effectively.”
The Minister continued: “That is why last year, I made £2million available to enable ward sisters to focus on patient quality and safety. In addition to this, I allocated half a million pounds for capital schemes such as minor refurbishment of hospital wards.
“I have also asked the Chief Nursing Officer to work with Trusts in looking at the role of Directors of Nursing. It is vital that they have the authority to ensure that patient care is of the highest standard.”
The Minister said that rising demand and limited resources had placed significant pressures on staff and the impact of recent budget cuts and efficiency savings mean the health and social care service is facing a difficult year.
He said: “We are of course facing difficult and challenging financial times, however I am determined to protect the welfare of our patients and in doing so, protect the welfare of our staff. I will not compromise on safety or quality and I look to the Trusts to ensure we have adequate staff to deliver high level care to patients.
“Nurses and midwives will be in pole position to deliver high quality health care to patients and their expertise will be increasingly in demand as the need for skilled care grows.”
Among the other award winners on the night was Carmel Hanna, who has recently retired from political life, and who won the Outstanding Achievement Award.
Notes to editors:
1. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards are now in their 14th Year. The award ceremony was hosted by Linda Bryans.
2. List of award winners:
Nurse of the Year
Winner: Donna Keenan
Runner-up: Nicola Brown
Team Manager Award
Winners: Mary McDevitt / Lisa Donaghy
Runner-up: Amanda Dougan
Patient’s Choice Award
Winner: Margaret McQuillan
Runners-up: Frank O’Kane / Judith Moore
Nursing Research Award
Winner: Jacqui Gamble
Runner-up: Paula Walls
Student Award
Winner: Margaret Harris
Runner-up: Andrea Craig
Health Care Support Worker
Winner: Gayle Lilly
Runner-up: Robert Arthur
Chief Nursing Officer’s Award
Winner: Elaine Herald and Roisin Crozier
Runner-up: Ruth Carroll
Bamford Vision Award
Winner: Edel Gilchrist
Runner-up: Brea Crothers and Marie Loughran
Public Health Award
Winner: Jacqueline McCracken and Rita McParland
Runner-up: Mary Duggan and Siobhan Hughes
Outstanding Achievement Award
Carmel Hanna
3. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
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