Celebrating nursing excellence in Northern Ireland
This article is in support of 'Let’s talk about it' published in the August 2012 issue of RCN Bulletin
Claire Galloway, a clinical lead nurse for sexual health with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, fought off competition from five other finalists to receive this year’s RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Award.
She was rewarded for transforming and modernising the trust’s sexual health service, improving its performance and increasing patients’ access to it. She was presented with the accolade by Health Minister Edwin Poots.
Nominated by her manager, Margaret Gordon, Claire works in the first sexual health service in Northern Ireland to achieve the 48-hour access targets for urgent referrals. Margaret retired the week Claire was presented with her award. “She was my driver for a nurse-led service. She was my motivation and inspiration and helped me shape the service,” says Claire.
The judging panel for the award said they considered Claire’s project to be “a service improvement of major significance that educates and promotes higher standards of care for patients”.
So what’s next for this experienced award-winner? Claire said: “I am currently involved in the development of a regional sexual assault referral centre (Sarc) and I am a member of the Forensic Nursing Society.
“The centres’ purpose will be to provide all victims, regardless of age, who have experienced serious sexual assault, whether recently or in the past, with a comprehensive and co-ordinated package of after-care to minimise the risk of any subsequent physical and mental difficulties and to promote recovery."
The Sarc development is a partnership between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Department of Health and Social Services. The Sarc is being housed within the trust on a new building sited at Antrim Hospital which will provide 24 hour cover 365 days a year.