South Eastern Trust celebrates success at Northern Ireland’s Advancing Healthcare Awards
It was a remarkable night celebrating success at the Northern Ireland Advancing Healthcare Awards, as South Eastern Trust staff were recognised across multiple categories, demonstrating the exceptional talent and dedication of staff.
The Award for Excellence in a Support Role was presented to Julie McCullough, a Rehabilitation Coach with the Community Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service.
Julie was recognised for her innovative work in creating individualised memory aids for clients with acquired brain injury.
Memory impairment is often a hidden challenge after brain injury and Julie has worked closely with service users and families to co-produce bespoke memory aids.
She developed a comprehensive guidebook to tailor memory aids to individual needs and provides training to empower clients, helping them regain independence and improve their quality of life.
The Trust received an incredible three Rising Star Awards presented to Ashleigh McKee, Rebecca Johnston, and Alix Robinson.
Ashleigh McKee, a dedicated Dietitian and key member of the Nutrition Support Team, was recognised for her commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based care.
Ashleigh is not only passionate about her patients, but also a strong advocate for the profession of Dietetics. She volunteers on the Communications and Campaigns Group to promote Dietitians' work and has led the department’s efforts in supporting national public health campaigns, using her creative talents to develop engaging infographics.
Rebecca Johnston of the Lisburn Community Occupational Therapy Team was acknowledged for her calm, caring and supportive approach. Rebecca has gone above and beyond to assist new team members and students during placements, creating a welcoming and encouraging environment within the team.
Occupational Therapist, Alix Robinson from the Ards Occupational Therapy Team stood out for her leadership during the Encompass system rollout.
As a “Super User,” Alix has become a key source of knowledge for the new system, providing invaluable advice and support to her team and others. Her dedication to learning and sharing her expertise has made her an essential part of the Community OT Team.
Aveen McCraith, former Assistant Director for AHPs and Pippa McCabe, Chief AHP Information Officer, received the Special Recognition Award for their leadership and pivotal roles in implementing the encompass system. Their forward-thinking approach and commitment have been instrumental in driving this vital innovation forward.
Director of Primary Care & Older People, Clare-Marie Dickson, praised the teams and said: “What a fabulous night recognising the breadth and diversity of services delivered by AHPs.
"A huge congratulations to all of our nominations and winners for their fantastic, innovative work, which is improving the lives of patients every day. You should be incredibly proud!”
Congratulations also to the finalists, Carolyn Greer and Laura Connolly, Specialist Advanced Practitioner Speech and Language Therapists, for their work on the Speech and Language Therapy-led ENT Parallel Clinic Service, finalists in the Service Improvement Category. Mark Cadden, Quality Standard for Imaging Lead, finalist in the Outstanding Leadership Category. Wesley Henry, Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist, finalist in the Masters Clinical Research category for his project, An Evaluation of the Demographics, Characteristics, and Healthcare Utilisation of People with Asthma Referred to an Ambulatory Respiratory Hub.
The Trust is proud of all its nominees and winners for their hard work, dedication and commitment to improving patient care. Their contributions reflect the Trust’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in healthcare.