UK: Western Trust Hospital Staff Praised for Patient Care

By BRENDAN MCDAID

NURSING and midwifery staff from across the Western Health Trust had an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge developments in nursing and health and social care modernisation at a keynote conference.

The event was held recently at the Everglades Hotel in Derry.

Around 150 nurses and midwives from across the Western Trust attended the event, which highlighted successful innovations and improvements in health and social care pioneered by professional nurses.

Speaking ahead of the event, Western Trust chairman, Mr Gerard Guckian, said: "This conference is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of nurses and midwives, 18 months on from the launch of the Western Trust's Nursing and Midwifery Strategy.

"It is also an opportunity to share how nursing is making a difference to patients and clients in the West.

"A number of presentations made at this conference demonstrate a shift to a culture where patients and clients views are now being sought to help change and direct how our services are being run."

He added: "Given that nurses and midwives are the most frequent point of contact for patients and often the most perceptive listeners, they are uniquely placed to hear the patients' voice and to act on it to make our services and care even more responsive to their needs."

The conference featured speakers from professional nursing including Ms Mary Hinds, director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, Public Health Agency.

She spoke alongside professional nurses currently working for the Western Trust.

Mr Alan Corry Finn, director of Primary Care and Older People's Services and executive director for Nursing, Western Trust, opened the conference.

He said: "This event gives our nursing staff the opportunity to share best practice, develop new ideas and network with others at the forefront of the nursing profession."

Mr Finn added: "It is a celebration of nursing and gives our staff access to individuals involved in cutting-edge developments and modernisation."

Originally published by BRENDAN MCDAID, bmcdaid@belfasttelegraph.co.uk.

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