1st October 2024
The Southern Trust’s Nicola Tallon Student Nurse of the Year Award has been won by Louise Bradford.
Louise Bradford, Student Nurse of the Year
The award was launched in memory of our esteemed colleague Nicola who had worked in our Home Treatment Crisis Response team within Mental Health and Disability and sadly passed away in June 2021.
Runner up was Jenny Groves, both Louise and Jenny are learning disability nursing students from Queen’s University Belfast.
Louise Bradford, winner and Jenny Groves, right, runner up in the Nicola Tallon Student Nurse of the Year Awards.
The judging panel were faced with the difficult task of shortlisting and choosing an overall winner and runner up from the fantastic calibre of our student nurse cohort, which was demonstrated through evidence of great quality, values and ethics in every application.
Gavin Crilly and Sinead Miskelly in the Newry and Mourne community learning disability team who nominated Louise for the award said:
“We are very proud that Louise has won this award, she is a dedicated and committed nurse.
“She was a valued member of the team and was always compassionate and respectful when she was working with staff, service users and their families.”
It was a double celebration at the awards event as staff also officially opened the children’s garden in the Bluestone Unit at Craigavon Area Hospital, a welcoming space with different activities and sensory play for visiting families.
Julie Stewart, Directorate Lead Nurse for Mental Health and Disability added:
“Our Nicola Tallon Student Nurse of the Year Award recognises outstanding students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to the profession.
“Louise and Jenny’s compassion truly embody the spirit of learning disability nursing and this award is a testament to their hard work and commitment when they were on placement in the Southern Trust.”
Jan McGall, Director of Mental Health and Disability Services, Karen Matthews, Lead Peer Educator for the Southern Trust Recovery College, John McEntee, Assistant Director of Mental Health Services, Martina McCafferty, Social Care Service Improvement Lead SPPG, Joe Walker Assistant Director of Mental Health and Intellectual disability Inpatients and Kathy Lavery, Directorate Lead Social Work officially open the children’s garden at the Bluestone Unit.