Tanya Daly, a dedicated cardiology nurse, who can be credited with implementing and leading the largest mass Covid-19 vaccination programme in Northern Ireland, is retiring after 37 years in nursing at the South Eastern Trust. Her long and distinguished career began in January 1985 in Ards Hospital, but throughout the pandemic, Tanya has dedicated herself to the vaccination programme.
The task of delivering this vital vaccine was huge but Tanya Daly rose to this enormous challenge and both designed and led the Covid-19 vaccination programme, initially across the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and then across the region.
Incredibly, she managed to set up the Trust’s vaccination programme within 3 weeks and deliver the Covid-19 vaccine to all our staff.
Against the clock, on the 29th of March 2021, the SSE Arena in Belfast opened its doors after being transformed into the largest mass vaccination centre in Northern Ireland.
In just six weeks, Tanya had redesigned the venue, established a vaccine supply chain, an IT infrastructure and gathered a multidisciplinary workforce.
In less than 6 months, over 380,316 vaccinations were administered, an incredible achievement which can be attributed to Tanya Daly and her fantastic team.
The Chief Executive of the South Eastern Trust, Roisin Coulter said, “Tanya has spent her entire career in nursing – she is totally dedicated to her patients. Tanya stepped up and said ‘yes’ when asked to lead the Regional mass vaccination centre at the SSE Arena in Belfast and more recently at the Titanic Exhibition Centre.
“Tanya’s leadership has been outstanding. She is and will continue to be, an inspiration to us all. It has been a privilege working with Tanya and on behalf of our staff, our patients, and our clients I want to say a huge thank you.”
“Tanya’s legacy will be the many lives that she has undoubtedly saved. Everyone in the Trust wishes her a long, happy and well deserved retirement.”