5th June 2026
A number of Southern Trust nurses have been recognised at the RCN (Royal College of Nursing) Awards.
The ceremony took place in the Culloden Hotel in Holywood and the event provides the opportunity to highlight excellence within nursing and the contribution that nursing staff make to the health and well-being of the people of Northern Ireland.
Anthony McShane, an advanced nurse practitioner in the Newry Community Mental Health Team, was runner up in the Nurse of the Year category with Lucy Duke, a child and adolescent mental health service nurse winning the Chief Nursing Officer’s Rising Star Award and Patrina Loughran, a learning disability nurse, runner up in the same category.
Southern Trust attendees at the RCN Nursing Awards including Director of Nursing Grace Hamilton left, Vivienne Toal, Director of HR and Organisational Development and centre left Patrina Loughran, runner up in the CNO Rising Star Award and Anthony McShane, runner up in Nurse of the Year.
Grace Hamilton, Director of Nursing said:
“I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Anthony, Lucy and Patrina. Our three nominees have been recognised at a regional level, either as winners or runner up, which is a remarkable achievement and testament to their dedication, compassion and commitment to delivering exceptional care to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“They embody the values of both our profession and organisation, demonstrating excellence, innovation and a person-centred approach to everything they do. They are outstanding ambassadors for nursing within our Trust.”