News

Mental health lead is nurse of the year 2016

Pauline Casey

A nurse who transformed dementia care at her trust has been named RCN Northern Ireland nurse of the year 2016.

Western Health and Social Care Trust lead nurse for older people’s mental health Pauline Casey initiated changes that reduced incidence of falls and challenging behaviour among dementia patients.

Improving services

Over three years, Ms Casey reduced inpatient treatment from 84 days to nine days, developed two dementia-specific assessment centres and established a therapeutic hub for patients at each of the trust’s hospitals.

Ms Casey said: ‘I can’t believe it. I am really surprised, just shocked.’

She received the award at a gala ceremony held at Hillsborough Castle, Belfast in May.

Jobs