5th October 2020
![](https://southerntrust.hscni.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PET-team-shsct-9321-350x280.jpg)
The Southern Trust has made it to the shortlist of the prestigious Nursing Times – Workforce and Summit Awards.
The Trust’s Practice Education Team has been recognised in the ‘Preceptorship of the Year’ category for a project introduced to support newly qualified nurses and midwives.
The team is the only one from Northern Ireland in the shortlist for the UK wide awards, which recognise and reward excellence in supporting the future of the nursing and midwifery workforce.
They were nominated for introducing new eye catching green I.D lanyards and badges so that existing staff could easily identify and support new recruits as they begin their new careers.
Congratulating the team, Dawn Ferguson, Interim Assistant Director for Nursing and Midwifery Workforce and Education said:
“We are fully committed to supporting and developing our staff. It is recognised that the Preceptorship period is so important for providing support to our new nurses and midwives, helping transition from student to registrant. The ID scheme that runs alongside our Preceptorship programme is such a simple concept but has been hugely valuable in helping our new nurses and midwives to build confidence. I would like to pay tribute to both the Practice Education Team and also broader clinical teams across our organisation who are dedicated to supporting the development of new colleagues as they start out on their careers.”
Overall winners will be announced in December 2020.
The Southern Trust’s Practice Education Team which has been shortlisted in this year’s prestigious Nursing Times – Workforce and Summit Awards. Pictured are: Heather Trouton, Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, Sharon Conlon, Practice Education Facilitator, Sharon Burnside, Head of Nursing and Midwifery, Education and Workforce Development, Eileen Gillanders, Practice Education Facilitator, Dawn Ferguson, Interim Assistant Director for Nursing and Midwifery Workforce and Education, Gillian Henry and Danielle McKee, Practice Education Facilitators, Dympna Magill, Team Secretary, Catherine Martin and Emma Kane, Practice Education Facilitators, Gail Doak, Practice Education Co-ordinator, Neilus McManus, and Jacqueline Clarke, Practice Education Facilitators.