‘Making a difference’ recognition for Northern Trust Neonatal nurse

A key member of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s neonatal team has been recognised for her exceptional care and leadership.

Ruth McKinstry, the Trust’s Neonatal Infant Feeding Lead, was runner-up in the Northern Ireland Neonatal Nurses Association Making a Difference Award for 2024.

She received the recognition after guiding the Neonatal Unit to Baby Friendly accreditation from Unicef in 2023 and subsequent reaccreditation earlier this year.

Offering her congratulations, Lead Nurse Shirley Montgomery said: “Ruth has consistently demonstrated an ability to empower, inspire, motivate and encourage staff, while working in partnership with them to ensure they took ownership of the standards required by Unicef. This made them feel valued, listened to and very much supported.

“Working directly with parents, Ruth’s empathy, kindness and gentle way is evident to all. She is clear in her communication whether that is while training staff, developing policies, presenting at a strategic level or working with distressed and anxious parents.

“She makes every contact count, has improved outcomes for babies in all aspects of the standards as well as building the confidence and skills of parents in order that they can care for their pre-term baby and experience true bonding while in the neonatal unit.

“We are very proud to be the only Neonatal Unit in Northern Ireland to hold the Baby Friendly accreditation thanks to the efforts of our staff, and Ruth has been central to this. It is fantastic to see her work recognised in this way by her peers.”

5th September 2024