Council honours health care workers in Borough of Antrim

The Freedom of the Borough of Antrim has been conferred upon Health Care staff serving in the Borough of Antrim at a special meeting held in Dunadry Hotel on Tuesday 11 February.

A notice of motion was put before Council in October 2013 that the Freedom of the Borough be conferred upon the Health Care Staff serving in the Borough of Antrim in recognition and appreciation of the exceptional and outstanding contribution to the health and well-being of the community both within and beyond the Borough.

Representatives of health sectors including Children’s Services, Community Services, Antrim Hospital, Mental Health & Learning Disabilities, Muckamore Abbey, Independent Nursing Homes, GP Practices, Community Pharmacy, Trust Panels, HR & Planning & Performance were in attendance to hear the Mayor of Antrim, Alderman Roderick Swann, praise the excellent work they carry out, “It gives me great pleasure to confer the Freedom of the Borough upon Health Care Staff serving in the Borough of Antrim.”

He continued, “Working within Health Care is a vocation. It is a profession that continuously gives to others and shows the utmost commitment and dedication. It is those individuals carrying out a wide range of roles in the care of our community that collectively make a significant difference to the quality of their lives.”

Bob McCann, Chairman of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, said: “I am delighted to be able to take this opportunity, on behalf of all the healthcare workers honoured, to thank the Mayor, Councillor Roderick Swann, and all the Councillors for their decision to confer the Freedom of the Borough of Antrim upon all healthcare workers serving in the Borough.

Healthcare in the Borough of Antrim is provided by a large and diverse team. Their work is often challenging, sometimes undertaken in difficult environments and circumstances, and yet they remain fully committed to serving their patients and clients as best they can, often “going the extra mile” to ensure patients and clients receive the high quality care they deserve. Although at times they may feel that they are working (often on their own) doing their own individual job, they are collectively looking after the health and well-being of everyone who lives in the Borough.

I am therefore delighted that Antrim Council decided to honour all the healthcare staff with this conferment and it was a great honour and privilege, to accept the very special award on their behalf.”

Antrim’s Health Care staff will now be added to the Council’s Roll of Honour which includes the following exemplary organisations that have served the citizens of the Borough – the Royal Air Force, Ulster Defence Regiment, Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland Fire Service, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Royal British Legion and the Corps of Royal Engineers. The Freedom of the Borough of Antrim has also been conferred on four individuals – its former Chief Executive, Samuel J Magee MBE, the champion jockey Tony McCoy from Moneyglass, Dr Peter Fitzgerald of Randox Laboratories and the late Dr Roelof Schierbeek.

19th February 2014