Mark named Manager of the Year in IHM Awards

Wini McCausland from Antrim was named the RCN Nurse Manager of the Year and Mark Cox from Portstewart won the Manager of the Year Award.

Mark is acting manager of the Causeway Intermediate Rehabilitation and Stroke Team based in Rathlea house in Coleraine since January 2011.

A nurse for 27 years he has led the development of an enhanced service in the Robinson and Dalriada community hospitals where staff focus on rehabilitation and promotion of patient independence.

The new service streamlined the admission process, reduced the length of stay and ensured more patients were able to be looked after at home, in line with both patients’ wishes and Trust objectives. All these aims were achieved.

Wini is the Ward Manager of the Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital. She took up her post in the 12 bedded specialist palliative care unit in 2011 and has been instrumental in the establishment and success of the Unit.

A core vision of Wini’s role has been to establish a high standard of holistic and patient centred care in the unit

Una Cunning, Director of Primary and Community Care for Older People’s Services congratulated Wini and Mark on their awards.

“This reflects the type of nurse Wini is and the absolute dedication she gives to her role and those she cares for. Mark has shown considerable determination in developing intermediate care over the last three years and I am delighted that they have been recognised for their continued dedication and commitment.

“Nurses and frontline staff are in the perfect position to identify in our hospitals and communities how to bring about a more efficient patient-centred service. This has been demonstrated by the awards Wini and Mark have won and it is fitting that this is recognised across NI.”