The South Eastern Trust is celebrating after five Nurses received top accolades at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Nurse of the Year Awards, held last night at the Culloden Hotel.
The Director of Nursing Award was presented to former Assistant Director of Medical Specialties, Cancer Services and Outpatient Services, Mary Jo Thompson, who retired from the Trust last month after an outstanding 39-year career in Health and Social Care.
Mary Jo was recognised for her exceptional leadership and commitment to developing services and supporting staff across the Trust. A passionate advocate of collective leadership, she co-led a range of key service developments including trust flow improvement work, a site coordination model and the transition of Thompson House into a specialist medical facility, while also strengthening professional standards and workforce development.
The Trust also celebrated success in the Cancer Nurse Award category, where Sarcoma Clinical Nurse Specialist, Jill Kennedy was named joint winner alongside Edel Aughey, Macmillan Consultant Nurse with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
Jill established and leads the Sarcoma Clinical Nurse Specialist Service within the Trust, significantly improving access to high-quality, person-centred care for patients who often face complex physical and emotional challenges. She plays a vital role in rapid assessment and treatment pathways, ensuring patients and families are supported, informed and guided throughout their care journey.
The Trust was also delighted that Healthcare Support Worker, Jacqueline Williams was named runner-up in the Healthcare Support Worker Award category, recognising her dedication and compassionate care.
In addition, congratulations are extended to Specialist Community Public Health Nurses Carrie Hemsley and Amanda Brown, who were worthy finalists in the overall RCN Nurse of the Year category.
Commenting on the achievements, the Trust’s Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Nursing, Professor David Robinson, said, “These awards are a fantastic recognition of the skill, compassion and commitment shown by each of the Nurses who were shortlisted for last night’s RCN Nurse of the Year Awards.
Despite the increasingly challenges, they demonstrate how the nursing profession continues to deliver high quality, innovative and person-centred care to the men, women and children we serve across our Trust area. Thank you again and many, many congratulations.”