Community Nursing team nominated as ‘lockdown heroes’

A NURSING team in the region have been recognised as ‘lockdown heroes’ in a top awards event set to take place this summer. 

The Rhins Community Nursing Team have been shortlisted out of more than 500 nominees for the ‘Unmasked Heroes’ section of Awarding Wigtownshire, which will see the winners named in an event in Stranraer this June. 

Rhins Community Nursing Team Charge Nurse Gillian Hannay, said: “It’s pretty overwhelming. 

“Everyone just feels extremely privileged to have been nominated as finalists in this award category. 

“Whatever ultimately happens, just to have been thought worthy of recognition in this way is fantastic for the team, and a real boost for all of us after what has been a pretty challenging last couple of years – just as it has been for so many people.” 

The Rhins Community Nursing Team provides nursing care for housebound patients across the entire community of the Rhins. 

Based within Waverley Medical Centre in Stranraer, the team comprises a Senior Charge Nurse, two Charge Nurses an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Staff Nurses and Health Care Support Workers.  

Gillian said: “Community Nursing has a vast referral criteria ranging from injections, post surgery care to providing care and support for patients and their families who are approaching end of life.  

“The team works closely with the local care homes, GP surgeries, the wider multidisciplinary team and voluntary sector to name but a few, with the aim of identifying needs and providing the patient and their families/carers with high standard and timely care in their own home or homely setting.  

“Even prior to the pandemic the team had its challenges in helping to meet the needs of the community. However, the arrival of COVID obviously brought further challenges as we went out into people’s homes, taking the absolute fullest precautions in order to prevent transmission and maintain their safety – with this being the absolute priority. 

“It has to be said that the team really rose to the challenge, as we adopted all the protocols such as use of PPE to limit chances of spread and were often seeing people who were experiencing COVID. 

“The community response was also fantastic – so supportive of the work we were doing and understanding of the particular challenges we have been facing due to the coronavirus. 

“It’s really terrific to be recognised in this way after the sheer hard work and stressful times this amazing team has gone through, but our thoughts are also with all of our colleagues across health and social care who have been working so hard to help everyone.” 

Anne Allison is Lead Nurse for Community Health and Social Care. 

She said: “I’m so pleased for the whole team. This nomination has given them a real lift, and I know they’ll be looking forward to attending the event this summer. 

“I wish them all the very best, and feel they really are truly deserving to be considered for this award.” 

The Awarding Wigtownshire event takes place at the North West Castle Stranraer on June 11 2022. 

For more information, visit http://awardingwigtownshire.co.uk/