Lisburn nurse scoops top prize at awards

Gary Cousins was awarded the Infection Control Nurse of the Year Award, after being nominated by colleagues for his work in the care sector

Gary provides direct support to approximately 70 care homes within Northern Ireland and expert advisory support to a further 300 or so care homes throughout Scotland, Wales and England.

During his time with Four Seasons Health Care in Northern Ireland he has developed, piloted and launched an impressive infection-control link nursing programme within the company.

The link nursing programme furnishes nursing leads throughout our care homes with specialist infection control education (for example information on surveillance, the role of public health, recognising symptoms of infection as well as effective evidence based interventions for C-Diff, MRSA etc.)

Part of Gary’s award-winning citation read: “Gary’s passion, enthusiasm and leadership within infection control and prevention has led to statistically significant changes as it pertains to residents who live in our care homes.

“Gary is passionate in raising awareness about the importance of infection prevention in care homes.

“In short, his work inspires confidence, instils leadership and ultimately enhancing the care we afford to our residents within Four Seasons Health Care.”

Two other Four Seasons Health Care nurses team from Northern Ireland were honoured at the awards ceremony, which were held earlier this month.

Joanne Agnelli was awarded the Mental Health Nurse of the Year Award while Gary Mitchell was awarded the Nurse of the Year Award.

Carol Cousins, Managing Director for Northern Ireland said: “The British Journal of Nursing Awards is a very prestigious event.

“I want to congratulate Gary, Joanne and Gary on their success and thank them for their continued hard work and dedication they’ve provided to the homes, residents and the teams.

“Here at Four Seasons we are determined to provide resident-led care, where we can do all we can to enhance our residents’ life whilst they’re in our care.

“The citations that Gary, Joanne and Gary received show how hard they’re working to provide the best service possible to our clients and roll it out across the organisation.”

The British Journal of Nursing Awards acknowledge the enormous contribution individual nurses make towards the development of the profession as a whole.