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Life & Time Nurse Manager Connie Connolly from Rostrevor has been recognised for her work for the charity. Connolly was announced as Nurse of the Year (Independent Sector) at the recent Royal College of Nursing Northern Ireland (RCN NI) Annual Awards.
The awards provided an opportunity to celebrate excellence in nursing in Northern Ireland and the contribution that nursing staff make to the health and wellbeing of the people of NI.
Connie is Nurse Manager with the Charity and registered nursing agency, Life & Time Care, who deliver an on-call service from 10pm to 8am to local families as they care for a loved one, at home, at end of life.
The Charity, first established in 2018, by Dr Henry McLaughlin, supported by a dedicated committee, provides the specialist ‘end of life’ on-call service to families in Warrenpoint, Rostrevor and Burren and latterly has expanded to offer services to Hilltown, Rathfriland and Mayobridge – delivered through a network of 46 local nurses.
Connie was nominated by Eugene Rooney, Hilltown, whose family were introduced to Connie and the Charity, when their father became ill and the local GP referred them to Life and Time. Connie is the Nurse Manager for the Charity, overseeing a multidisciplinary team to deliver end of life care.
“I was initially shocked to be nominated, and never expected to win. I am very grateful to RCN NI and the Rooney family for nominating me and highlighting the work of Life & Time.
“This brings home the positive impact nurses have, being there for the patient and the families as they negotiate the practical, medical and emotional difficulties of caring for a loved one, at home, at end of life. Having cared for my husband at home before his death, I have walked in their shoes and I feel it better informs how I interact with the families we support.
“I think it’s important to say that our service is only made possible through the work of my outstanding 46 nursing colleagues, alongside the support of our dedicated voluntary committee, so I see this as an award for the entire Life & Time team,” Connie added.
Life & Time Director and founder Dr Henry McLaughlin congratulated her on the RCN NI Award saying: “This award is a real tribute to Connie and the impact she’s had on the families she’s worked with, and it’s great to see her being celebrated in this way by her professional body. Connie is a dedicated, experienced and compassionate nursing professional and the Life & Time family join me in congratulating her on this wonderful accolade.”
