Meeting HM King Charles at Hillsborough Castle
School of Nursing & Midwifery Representatives Meet HM King Charles at Hillsborough Castle
Professor Donna Fitzsimons, Lyn Crawford, Mary Duffin and Maria Somerville from the School were delighted to attend the Garden Party at Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday 24 May 2023 and meet HM King Charles. The invitations were extended in recognition of the School's activities and support during the Covid pandemic. The inclusion of Mary & Maria from our Patient & Carer Educational Partnership underlines royal recognition for the important role they play in our school. It was a superb occasion, and everyone had a wonderful day!
Staff Nurse Care Awards held in Titanic, Belfast
on Thursday 6th April 2023
The School of Nursing & Midwifery were invited to judge the nominations for these prestigious awards.
Representatives from the School attended the gala dinner and awards ceremony in Titanic building. This event celebrated the excellent standards of care that exists in N.I and those attending were humbled and proud to be there celebrating the work of our healthcare colleagues. Susan Carlisle the Director of Education said a few opening remarks and made presentations in a few categories.
We were delighted to celebrate this prestigious event with our PCEP colleagues Mary Duffin, Maria Somerville and Trevor Wightman.
PCEP Forum meeting with Public Health Agency (PHA)
Quarterly Forum meeting on Monday 13th March 2023
Members of the Patient and Carers Education Partnership (PCEP) Forum welcomed Ms Sandra Aitcheson, Assistant Director, Nursing Adults and older people in the PHA and her colleague Michelle Laverty, to the School of Nursing and Midwifery at QUB to explain how they are involved with school business. Each member of the forum introduced themselves, sharing their experiences and explaining why they became involved with the group. The Chair of PCEP thanked Sandra and Michelle for attending and look forward to developing this partnership.
Graduate Entry Masters Professional Nursing Graduation
The First Graduation for our Graduate Entry Masters Professional Nursing (GEMS) cohort
On Thursday 13th October 2022 the School of Nursing & Midwifery, QUB held the first Graduation for their Graduate Entry Masters Professional Nursing 2020 cohort in the Whitla Hall. Professor Christine Brown Wilson, Programme Director addressed those in attendance stating:
"It was with great pride that we and our PCEP partners watched the first cohort of the Graduate Entry Masters Professional Nursing or GEMS for short, graduate today. The GEMS programme was coproduced with our PCEP forum members who supported us in ensuring the programme reflected the needs of patients, carers and the communities in which they live. The PCEP forum continue to be an integral part of the GEMS programme supporting the recruitment process and ensuring candidates come with the attributes required to become compassionate, caring nurses.
This support continued with delivery of teaching, support in authentic assessment such as communication role plays and by providing invaluable feedback to our students. It is a privilege and honour to work so closely with our PCEP colleagues ensuring our students are safe, effective and compassionate nurses on graduation."
Three members of the PCEP Forum have been awarded Honorary Lecturer's within the school, Dr Scott Peddie, Mrs Mary Duffin and Mrs Maria Somerville which led to their inclusion in the Academic Procession at Graduation. Commenting on this experience, Forum member Maria Somerville said:
"I feel very honoured to be awarded an Honorary Lectureship by the School of Nursing and Midwifery and to be invited to the first GEMS Graduation. It was a real privilege being part of the procession. It was quite emotional too as I was very aware my son was the reason for my role in this graduation; I was there having been his parent carer for 27 years. It was a very uplifting experience seeing our master's nurses complete their course especially given the challenges they faced from covid from the very outset of their course. I feel it was very important to be involved as a PCEP member in all aspects of the GEMS course. We were involved in designing the curriculum, interviewing candidates, assessing students & delivering lectures. I hope our real-life experience has enhanced the student experience and has helped to prepare them for their future work in Health & Social Care. It was a wonderful day and it was great to meet the Health Minister and the Chief Nursing Officer".
Sad News
In memory of PCEP member Liz Cunningham
It is with great sadness that we attended the funeral last week of our long standing PCEP member Liz Cunningham who passed away on Sunday 7th August 2022.
The School and PCEP Forum pass on their Sincere Condolences to the Cunningham Family, Husband Philip, Daughters Nikola and Lisa and the entire family circle.
Liz was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at the age of 48.
Liz first met with the Patient and Carers Education Partnership Forum (formerly Service Users and Carers) back in September 2015 when she attended one of our meetings to raise awareness for dementia from her role within Dementia Friendly Communities. Liz quickly became a valued member of our forum attending regular meetings which led to Liz getting more involved within the School working alongside Staff and Students. Professor Donna Fitzsimons Head of School said "Liz has made a lasting impression upon our School supporting us to embed the voice of Patients and Carers in everything we do. She was a courageous lady and a strong advocate for Nursing & Midwifery. We send our deepest sympathies to all her family and friends, she will be sadly missed by all of us".
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Congratulations to Dr Paul Gallagher
PCEP member Paul Gallagher graduates from Queen's University Belfast
We are delighted to announce that our Forum member Paul Gallagher graduated on Saturday 2nd July 2022 with a PhD in Sociology from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work from Queen’s University.
Paul is a survivor of the Troubles and was injured in a terrifying gun attack at his home in 1994 when he was just 21 years old. The gunmen held him and his family hostage.
Describing his attack, Paul said: “Their intended target, my neighbour, did not arrive home, so they decided to shoot me instead. I was hit six times and woke up a couple of days later in intensive care with a tube down my neck to help me breathe, not knowing that I was paralysed.
“It was about a week later when the doctors came in and told me I was paralysed. That was a big shock, and, in that instant, my life changed utterly.”
Throughout his time at university, Paul has been involved with WAVE Trauma Centre in Northern Ireland, campaigning to introduce a pension for those injured during the Troubles which started in 2008 and has finally become successful with applicants already starting to receive payment.
Paul is now currently working in WAVE as a Trauma Education Officer where he coordinates some of the modules on the Trauma Studies degree, as well as providing teaching.
Paul has been an active member of our Patients and Carers Forum from the onset attending meetings, giving lectures to students, and continually engaging in all aspects of the student experience. Paul says “My learning over the past number of years in the field of trauma and conflict transformation, blended with my own personal experiences, has added value to my engagement within the area of victims and survivors, as well as enhancing my involvement with the PCEP forum in Queen’s University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. It is within this forum that I have been able to bring my skills and experience into helping to educate the nurses and midwives of the future”.
Following his graduation, Paul hopes to continue to use what he has learned to help other victims.
Photos from Pauls' Graduation:-
PCEP tour of Intersim Centre, QUB
KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim Centre - Simulated training for the next generation of healthcare professionals
On Monday 13th June 2022 the PCEP Forum took a tour of the KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim Centre with Technical Manager & Lead, Kevin Campbell. It was a fantastic opportunity for the Forum to experience this state-of-the-art learning facility which is available to our student Nurses and Midwives.
The Centre is named the KN Cheung SK Chin, in celebration of the parents of the lead donor who is a Queen’s medical graduate, it was built thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, and it opened to welcome visitors and students in August 2021. Five years in the making, they are so proud to have this cutting-edge training facility available for Queen’s Medical, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Nursing and Midwifery students. This incredible resource will support everyone in their aim to promote excellence in education of healthcare professionals through an inter-professional simulation-based approach that drives safe, effective, and collaborative care now and in the future.
The PCEP Forum congratulated Kevin Campbell on winning the QUB Technician (education) of the year award for his work on helping to create and deliver within InterSim - well done Kevin!
Photos from our tour:-
Staff Nurse Care Awards held in Titanic, Belfast
on Thursday 21st April 2022
The School of Nursing & Midwifery sponsored the Staff Nursing Care Awards this year again. This was an opportunity to support the Independent Sector and celebrate the care provided by Nursing Homes.
It was an extremely rewarding and emotional insightful evening for all Guests, Organisations, Charities, Sponsors and Partners.
Many hearts were touched by the accolade for each of the nominees praised by every one of us. It was a privilege to attend and get an insight into the ongoing work and practices for our most vulnerable people in society.
We would like to congratulate all the nominees and winners on the evening, and always remember, everyone is a winner.
Mary Duffin & Susan Abraham
PCEP Forum members