Ballyclare-based nurse's hard work is recognised

A Ballyclare-based nurse has won a prestigious accolade at a recent awards ceremony which paid tribute to people in the healthcare profession.
Michelle Doggett (right) receiving flowers after winning the title of Randox Health Healthcare Nurse of the Year. INNT 13-802CONMichelle Doggett (right) receiving flowers after winning the title of Randox Health Healthcare Nurse of the Year. INNT 13-802CON
Michelle Doggett (right) receiving flowers after winning the title of Randox Health Healthcare Nurse of the Year. INNT 13-802CON

Michelle Doggett, who works at the Rathmena Care Home in Ballyclare, was crowned Randox Health Healthcare Nurse of the Year at the recent event.

Speaking to the Times, the modest nurse said: “I have been working at Rathmena for 12 years and would never have imagined that I would be winning an award like this.

“Working at a home like this is a calling and not everyone would be able to do it. In a sense it is old-fashioned nursing, which is very hands on. I enjoy what I do and will continue to keep caring for the residents in the same way that I always have.”

Michelle, who now lives in Ballymena, qualified as a nurse in 1992. She was nominated for the award by the children of a resident at the care home.

Brother and sister, Michael Robinson and Lorraine Brownlie, put forward Michelle’s name for the award to acknowledge her high standard of patient care and management to her patients that she displays on every shift.

They said: “Michelle is very professional and has a caring manner with the residents and their families. She provides a high level of nursing care and has an understanding with the residents.”

They added: “Michelle is very approachable and really is like a friend to the family. We have got to know her over the last five years and find it easy to talk our problems over with her.

People don’t appreciate what nurses in nursing homes are like. Michelle understands the natures, habits and needs of the residents and is very good at what she does.”

Lorraine and Michael submitted a nomination, which was assessed by a panel of judges. It was not long before the judges had decided that Michelle was a very worthy winner of the nurse of the year title.

Michelle and Michael both attended the black tie awards ceremony, which was held in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel in Bangor.

There were a number of other sectors of the healthcare profession recognised at the event including, Dental Practice of the Year, Optometry Practice of the Year, Training in Healthcare Award, Pharmacist of the Year,Clinical Excellence Award, Care Home of the Year, Innovation Award, GP Practice of the Year and the Special Recognition Award.

The organisers of the event state that the Nurse of the Year Award recognises the hard work of nurses across Northern Ireland who provide an invaluable 24 hours a day service to patients.

The awards ceremony, which was held in February, paid tribute to healthcare professionals, in both the private sector and across the National Health Service, who showcase excellence in a number of areas including, day-to-day patient care, patient service, innovation, surgery facilities and after-care, as well as striving towards improving the quality of healthcare and the health of the region.

A charity auction was also held at the ceremony, with the proceeds raised being donated to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

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