Nine Trust Specialist Respiratory Nurses are recognised

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) has partnered with the British Lung Foundation Northern Ireland (BLF NI) to support a team of nine nurses in the Trust to provide uniquely customised and innovative care for patients with severe respiratory disease. These highly skilled Respiratory Specialist Nurses will lend their skills and knowledge to augment the great work that the BLF undertakes in Northern Ireland.

The team of nine nurses are to become the newest nurses to join the BLF Nurse Programme in Northern Ireland thanks to funds raised by the BLF NI support group Breathe Easy Causeaway and Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland.

Sister Caroline Speedy heads up the Antrim/Ballymena Team and is based on the Antrim Area Hospital site. Caroline, who is from Randalstown has been a Respiratory Specialist Nurse for the last eight years. Caroline covers both hospital and community work for the Respiratory Service, she says “I am delighted to join the BLF and am looking forward to working collaboratively within the BLF family on behalf of the Northern Trust.”

Caroline’s Team also brings a wealth of experience. Pat Gorman from Toombridge has 17 years of experience and knowledge, Jenny Wilson is an expert in Bronchiectasis and Julie Reid and Lindsay Junkin who have both also worked for many years in the respiratory field, each bringing a high level of knowledge and skill to BLF Education Programmes.

Sister Siobhan Bradley has over 16 years respiratory experience. Siobhan heads up the East Antrim Team along with Oonagh Gilmartin. On the Causeway Hospital site, Karen Sheridan from Magherafelt and Heather Gilmore look after the hospital and community patients in the Northern sector of the Trust.

The launch of the team of nine nurses was held at the BLF NI patient conference promoting self-management and healthy living on Wednesday 19th June at the Dunadry Hotel in Templepatrick. Guest speakers included some of Northern Ireland’s leading clinicians and academics, the Minister for Health, Mr Edwin Poots, and Dr Penny Woods, Chief Executive of the BLF.

Olive MacLeod, Director Nursing and User Experience, NHSCT said: “The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is very proud of the work our Respiratory Teams do and wish our Nurses well in their new BLF roles providing our clients and patients with this winning combination”.

“Through the help of focused study days BLF NI nurses are better able to care for people with lung disease at home or in the community”.

Dr Penny Woods, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, who will be presenting the nurses with their badges said:  “We are delighted to welcome nine more nurses in Northern Ireland into the BLF Nurse Programme. Having the BLF NI and community respiratory nurses working together, provides people affected by lung disease with better access to the support and care that they need. This allows people to manage their conditions better and enjoy the highest possible quality of life”.

26th June 2013