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Hillsborough man is named Nurse of the Year

Garvin McKnight and Elsie Clinghan, winners of the RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Award 2008. Garvin and Elsie fought off competition from six other finalists to receive the award.

Garvin McKnight and Elsie Clinghan, winners of the RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Award 2008. Garvin and Elsie fought off competition from six other finalists to receive the award.

HILLSBOROUGH man Garvin McKnight and Elsie Clinghan from Donacloney have won the RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Award for 2008.

Elsie and Garvin, who are learning disability nurses based at Muckamore Abbey Hospital, won the award for their "nursing excellence and outstanding commitment to patient care".

They were presented with the award by Health minister Michael McGimpsey.

Gavin and Elsie fought off competition from six other finalists to receive the award for leading the Adapted Sex Offender Treatment Programme at Muckamore.

This is one of only five pilot projects throughout the UK developed by the Home Office for men with mild to moderate learning disability who have a history of sexual offending. The pilot at Muckamore is the only one within a health care setting, the others are all based in the Criminal Justice System.

The programme aims to develop the role of the nurse as a direct therapist to assist individuals to address their behaviour. This has required Elsie and Garvin to undertake extensive training over the past three and a half years as well as passing a rigorous assessment. They have been commended for their courage and personal commitment in undertaking such a project but said: Our reward for this work as nurses lies within the knowledge that we are actively contributing to a safer society."

Another local nurse, Barbara Hanna from Dromore, was runner-up in the Directors of Nursing Award. Barbara, who is a respiratory nurse specialist at the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, won the award for developing a Respiratory Early Discharge Scheme for patients in the trust. This has resulted in improved clinical outcomes and patient experience and reduced hospital admissions.

Commenting on the Awards, RCN Northern Ireland Director Mary Hinds said: "Congratulations to Elsie and Garvin on their outstanding achievement. They have made a difference in a very specialised and difficult area of nursing. In particular I'd like to pay tribute to their personal courage and vision which has not only made a difference to patients but also for the greater good of the community.

"Congratulations also to Barbara. These awards demonstrate the good practice and innovations that are taking place throughout Northern Ireland. They also illustrate how nurses are contributing to a more efficient and effective health service, yet keeping the focus on dignity and compassion. It is extremely encouraging to see the breadth of expertise and high level of patient care on offer.

"Nurses are playing a leading role in developing services for patients as well as making a real difference to people's lives."

From left are: Alan Finn, Director of Nursing at the Western Trust, Barbara Hanna from Dromore, Runner-up in the Directors of Nursing Award, Bernie McWilliams, Joint Runner-up and Mary Hinds, Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland.

From left are: Alan Finn, Director of Nursing at the Western Trust, Barbara Hanna from Dromore, Runner-up in the Directors of Nursing Award, Bernie McWilliams, Joint Runner-up and Mary Hinds, Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland.

Ulster Star
20/06/2008