Kelly Forbes was presented with the award by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA and RCN Northern Ireland Executive Director, Rita Devlin, at a special ceremony held at the Culloden Hotel, Holywood on 5 June.
Based at Kilkeel Medical Practice, Kelly has created a series of accessible, evidence-based videos, which are hosted on YouTube, on topics like mood management and guided breathing to support patients’ mental well-being. The Southern Trust area in which Kelly practises has the second highest suicide rate in Northern Ireland, is among the 20% most deprived areas, and faces serious mental health challenges.
Kelly has worked extensively with local organisations including Mourne Matters, the Recovery College, RNLI and the Fishermen’s Mission to build community links and increase engagement. The results have been compelling, with nearly 70% of patients seen by mental health practitioners in GP practices requiring no further referral to secondary care. As a result, the initiative is set for a wider regional rollout across the area, offering patients and clinicians alike a valuable new tool in improving mental health outcomes.
Patient testimonials reflect the significant impact of the service with one patient saying, “For the first time in years, I don’t feel down. After years of medication, this is life-changing.” Another wrote, “Kelly literally saved my life – thank you.”
Other awards on the night included the Digital and Data Innovation in Nursing Award, sponsored by Digital Health and Care NI, which was awarded to Iona McCormack and Roisin Hill, skin cancer specialist nurses at Action Cancer. Together, they developed a skin cancer photo triage e-referral pathway that has delivered a gold-standard screening service across Northern Ireland.
Since 2023, the service has provided over 4,500 consultations, identified more than 300 suspected skin cancer lesions, and offered comprehensive assessments to over 3,100 patients—many of whom were safely discharged with reassurance and advice. The judging panel praised the initiative for improving patient experience and efficiency, noting its ability to reach underserved communities through a mobile, accessible approach.
Professor Owen Barr from Ulster University won the prestigious Kathleen Robb Award for outstanding contribution to nursing, sponsored by the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council.
Commenting on the awards, Professor Rita Devlin, RCN Northern Ireland Executive Director, said: “Kelly has made a profound difference in the lives of her patients by creating vital mental health resources that are easily accessible through GP services. Her work is an outstanding example of how community-based nurses are leading the way in enhancing patient care.
“Her dedication and innovative approach have significantly improved patient outcomes, experiences, and overall quality of life.
“Each year, these awards highlight the exceptional skill and professionalism within nursing in Northern Ireland, and how our nursing staff continually strive to deliver the highest standards of care.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists, who represent the very best of our profession.”
List of winners
RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Award
Winner
Kelly Forbes
Senior mental health practitioner
Newry and District GP Federation
Joint runners-up
Orla Mathews
Dementia service improvement lead nurse
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Angela Berry, Ward sister and Shirleen Porter, Deputy ward sister, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Commended
Steven Kelly
Ward manager
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Public Health Award sponsored by the Public Health Agency
Winner
Christina Faulkner
Farm families health checks programme co-ordinator
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Joint runners-up
Wanda Walsh
Complex care co-ordinator
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Ashley Ferguson
Health visitor
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Health Care Support Worker Award, sponsored by Healthcare Ireland
Winner
Gráinne McCusker
Community health care assistant
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Linda Britton Reid
Senior nursing assistant
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Chief Nursing Officer Rising Star Award, sponsored by the Department of Health
Winner
Aaron Smyth
Registered nurse, learning disabilities
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Catherine Fairley
Registered nurse
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Team Manager Award, Sponsored by the HSC Clinical Education Centre and Business Services Organisation
Winner
Agnes Dee
Head of service, mental health, intellectual disability and dementia
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Anna Toland
Ward sister
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Primary Care Nursing Award, sponsored by GP Federations Northern Ireland
Winner
Hannah Pollock
Practice nurse
Donaghadee Health Centre
Runner-up
Kelly Forbes
Senior mental health practitioner
Newry and District GP Federation
Independent Sector Nursing Award, sponsored by Balmoral Healthcare
Winner
Stacey Finlay
Deputy manager, specialist services
Healthcare Ireland
Runner-up
Gillian Baxter
Registered nurse
Silverdale Care Home
Directors of Nursing Award, sponsored by Belfast, Northern, South Eastern, Southern and Western HSC Trusts
Winner
Leanne Jones
Nurse lead for workforce, education and development
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Jonah Atos
International nurse co-ordinator
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Student Award sponsored by the Queen’s University of Belfast
Winner
Ciara Devine
The Queen’s University of Belfast
Runner-up
Graham Gibson
The Queen’s University of Belfast
Nursing Research Award sponsored by Ulster University
Winner
Deirdre Harkin
Lecturer in nursing
Ulster University
Runner-up
Maria Betts
Advanced nurse practitioner in district nursing
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Learning in Practice Award sponsored by the Open University
Winner
Gillian McConvey
Senior lead nurse, nursing and midwifery assurance and quality
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Joint runners-up
Carly Culbert
Infectious diseases specialist nurse
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
John McAteer
Practice education facilitator
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Cancer Nurse Award, sponsored by Macmillan Cancer Support
Winner
Emma Dinsmore
Leukaemia clinical nurse specialist
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Karen Harper and Helen McCormick
Clinical nurse specialists for lung cancer
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Leadership Award, sponsored by Roberta Brownlee and Silverdale Care Home
Winner
Clare Marie Dickson
Director of primary care and older people
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Claire Wilmont
Lead nurse
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Patient’s Choice Award, sponsored by the Patient and Client Council
Winner
Jacqui Lundy
Community children’s nurse
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Runner-up
Una Marie McAuley
Registered nurse
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Digital Innovation in Nursing Award sponsored by Digital Health and Care, Northern Ireland
Winner
Iona McCormack and Roisin Hill
Senior skin cancer specialist nurses
Action Cancer
Runner-up
Maria Loughran, Head of nursing workforce and utilisation
Caroline Riddell, Safe staffing lead nurse
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Kathleen Robb Award for outstanding contribution to nursing, sponsored by Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council (NIPEC)
Professor Owen Barr
Ulster University
