Chief Nursing Officer, Professor Charlotte McArdle, this evening praised nurses for their valued contribution to the health service of Northern Ireland.
She was attending the Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year 2017 Awards ceremony in the Culloden Hotel, hosted by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
Professor McArdle paid tribute to all the nurses within the Health and Social Care (HSC) system. She said: “Nurses are central to our health service. They work tirelessly everyday to ensure the delivery of safe, effective care and to keep people’s well being at the heart of their work.”
Congratulating all the finalists, Professor McArdle said: “I was very impressed by all the nurses and healthcare assistants nominated for the awards. The demonstrable benefits for care in all of the categories are both innovative and encouraging and I congratulate you all on your achievements.”
Concluding Charlotte McArdle praised the work of the profession and acknowledged the unique contribution of all nurses in the HSC system in the context of the changing needs of an aging population, and an increase in long term conditions and the challenge to support everyone to adopt healthier lifestyles.
She said: “Nursing brings together value based attributes of caring, underpinning theoretical knowledge, interpretation of the person’s need and most importantly the competence and confidence to execute decisions that have a positive impact on the person’s outcome.
“I want to publicly thank each and every nurse and midwife for their dedication and commitment to making a difference to the people of Northern Ireland, because without their continued professionalism, determination and resilience our health service would simply not be able to function.”
Notes to editors:
1. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards is now in their 21st Year. The award ceremony was hosted by Claire McCollum.
2. The purpose of the annual awards is to celebrate nursing and the contribution that nurses in Northern Ireland make to patient and client care.
3. There are eleven award categories.
4. A full list of award winners is available from Lisa Holden, Media Officer, RCN, 07789691505, http://www.rcn.org.uk/northernireland
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