Based in the Northern Trust, Vicky is the only nurse hysteroscopist in Northern Ireland and has championed the development of this service which can investigate gynaecological issues such as abnormal bleeding, diagnose conditions and check for cancer. The role has traditionally been undertaken by doctors but in recent years has been extended to an enhanced nursing role. Demand for services outweighs existing capacity and this gap is predicted to widen due to an ageing population.
Passionate about women’s health, Vicky has improved access to the investigation of abnormal uterine bleeding and has been instrumental in reducing cancer waiting times for hysteroscopy.
Unwavering determination
Vicky’s nominator says that her achievements are due to her “unwavering determination, dynamism and a positive ‘can-do’ attitude”. She describes Vicky as “a trailblazer and visionary who championed the development of this service and is now treating women with gynaecological conditions, delivering personalised and dignified care.”
Runner-up on the evening was Claire Cassells, urology advanced nurse practitioner in the South Eastern Trust. Claire was nominated for her leadership and success in modernising and reshaping how urology care is delivered. She has worked tirelessly, demonstrating advanced clinical skills and leadership in developing a number of new nurse-led initiatives, all of which have led to more holistic person-centred care, greater efficiency and effective care delivery.
Claire established an andrology clinic which has significantly reduced waiting times and improved patients’ quality of life and treatment options. She runs two theatre lists each week, accommodating 24 patients, reducing waiting times for red flag investigations and further surgery or treatment. The judging panel praised Claire’s passion, her commitment to making changes that benefit patient care, and her strong focus on patient outcomes.
The Patient’s Choice Award, sponsored by the Patient and Client Council, was won by Barbara Johnston, a ward sister in the Belfast Trust. Barbara was nominated by the mother of a man who died aged 43 after a long illness and a year of being an in-patient in the Royal Victoria Hospital. She says Barbara has touched her life and those of many others, and that her positivity radiates onto her colleagues and patients the moment she steps onto the ward.
The nominator describes how Barbara played a significant role as her son’s advocate, ensuring his wishes were respected by arranging for him to receive end of life care in the familiar ward environment. She says: “Barbara gave us the opportunity to say goodbye in the right way. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank her and appreciate her love and care for our precious son during his final journey in life.”
Two new awards were celebrated on the evening including the Chief Nursing Officer Rising Star Award, sponsored by the Department of Health. This was won by Nathan Weir, a staff nurse based at the Bluestone unit at Craigavon Area Hospital. The Primary Care Nursing Award, sponsored by GP Federations in Northern Ireland was won by Lynda Haire, advanced nurse practitioner at Derry GP Federation.
Angela McLernon won the Kathleen Robb Award for Outstanding Contribution to Nursing, sponsored by NIPEC.
Chief Nursing Officer at the Department of Health, Maria McIlgorm said: “Vicky exemplifies the very best of nursing in Northern Ireland. The commitment she has for her patients is so clearly demonstrated through her pioneering approach to finding a solution to improve the treatment of women in her care.
“I want to commend Vicky and all those recognised through the RCN awards. We are very fortunate to have nurses working across all settings in Northern Ireland who are dedicated to delivering the highest levels of care for people here.
“As Chief Nursing Officer, I urge my colleagues to be proud of what you do and the difference you make to the lives of people in Northern Ireland every day. Our health service would simply not be able to function without you.”
Compassionate care
Commenting on the awards, Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland, Rita Devlin, said: “Vicky has made a huge impact in leading and developing this new service which has significantly improved the patient experience and standards of care. This nurse-led service is a shining example of the ways in which nurses across Northern Ireland are leading the implementation of transformation by reforming the way services are designed, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.
“Vicky’s determination and commitment to providing compassionate care to those most in need is inspirational. Through these awards we have heard of the extraordinary achievements of nurses and health care support workers and the impact this has had on patient care.
“It is so important that we support, value and recognise our nursing staff to ensure that we retain them in Northern Ireland. These awards truly highlight the skills and expertise we are fortunate to have and the commitment to improving services and care for patients. Congratulations to all our finalists.”
List of winners
RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Award
Winner
Vicky Burns
Lead nurse, hysteroscopy and colposcopy
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Claire Cassells
Urology advanced nurse practitioner
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Commended
Nicola Loughlin
Delirium nurse co-ordinator
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Helen Davis
Surgical advanced nurse practitioner
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Public Health Award sponsored by the Public Health Agency
Winner
Tanya Zuliani, Specialist Community Public Health Nurse for BAME communities and Jane Ferguson Specialist Nurse
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Bronagh Mulholland
Specialist community health nurse for minority ethnic communities
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Health Care Support Worker Award, sponsored by LV
Winner
Julie Dudgeon
Health care support worker
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Ryan McIlvenna
Health care assistant
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Chief Nursing Officer Rising Star Award, sponsored by the Department of Health
Winner
Nathan Weir
Staff nurse
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Runners-up
Sarah Richmond
Staff nurse
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Lucy Smyth
Community staff nurse
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Team Manager Award, Sponsored by the HSC Clinical Education Centre and Business Services Organisation
Winner
Helen Manson
Haemophilia nurse specialist
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Lisa Spence and Anne Baird
Urology sisters
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Primary Care Nursing Award, sponsored by GP Federations Northern Ireland
Winner
Lynda Haire
Advanced nurse practitioner
Derry GP Federation
Runner-up
Lisa Giltrap
Senior mental health practitioner
North Down GP Federation
Independent Sector Nursing Award, sponsored by Balmoral Healthcare
Winner
Connie Connolly
Registered nurse manager
Life and Time Nursing Agency
Runner-up
Linda Graham
Regional manager
Spa Nursing Home Group
Directors of Nursing Award, sponsored by Belfast, Northern, South Eastern, Southern and Western HSC Trusts
Winner
Cathy Glass
Nursing service manager: trauma, orthopaedics and fractures
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Laura Spiers
Children and young people services governance co-ordinator
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Student Award sponsored by the Queen’s University of Belfast
Winner
Grace McAleer
The Open University
Runner-up
Tracy Miller
Ulster University
Nursing Research Award sponsored by Ulster University
Winner
Martina Galeotti
Lecturer
The Queen’s University of Belfast
Runner-up
Angela McKeever
MacMillan service improvement lead, North West Cancer Centre
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Learning in Practice Award sponsored by the Open University
Winner
Julie Baxter
Deputy sister
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Una Hughes
Children’s training co-ordinator
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Defence Reservist Nurse Award, sponsored by Defence Relationship Management, Ministry of Defence
Winner
Christopher Finnegan
Advanced nurse practitioner/nursing officer
204 (North Irish) Field Hospital
Runner-up
Rebecca Smyth
Trainee advanced clinical practitioner/emergency care nursing officer
204 (North Irish) Field Hospital
Cancer Nurse Award, sponsored by Macmillan Cancer Support
Winner
Sarah McCauley
Macmillan advanced nurse practitioner
South Eastern Health and Social Car Trust
Runner-up
Lisa Callendar
Teenage and young adult clinical nurse specialist
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Leadership Award, sponsored by Roberta Brownlee and Silverdale Care Home
Winner
Dawn Ferguson
Assistant Director for Nursing and Midwifery Workforce and Education
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Deirdre Webb
Assistant Director of Nursing
Public Health Agency
Patient’s Choice Award, sponsored by the Patient and Client Council
Winner
Barbara Johnston
Ward sister
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Karen Harper and Helen McCormick
Lung clinical nurse specialists
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Kathleen Robb Award for outstanding contribution to nursing, sponsored by NIPEC
Angela McLernon
