Carmel Darcy.
Three Western Health Trust staff members in Derry have won top accolades at the highly prestigious Northern Ireland Healthcare Awards.
The Trust was shortlisted in four out of the eight award categories and scooped two awards at the event held in the Europa Hotel, Belfast.
The annual awards are aimed at celebrating clinical excellence in Northern Ireland, while recognising, promoting and celebrating the high standards across the healthcare professions.
Carmel Darcy, who is one of only two consultant pharmacists in Northern Ireland, scooped the Pharmacist of the Year Award for her work on older people’s medicine. C
Carmel, from Omagh, is responsible for pharmaceutical care of patients throughout their stay and 30 days post discharge from the Waterside Hospital in Derry.
Carmel was recognised for her pivotal role in developing and leading a pioneering model of medicine management for older people with long term conditions living in the community.
Pauline Campbell and Elizabeth Connolly-Anderson, physiotherapists at Altnagelvin Hospital. were both recognised for their development of a pain management programme, “Moving with Pain,” for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Pauline Campbell and Elizabeth Connolly-Anderson
They looked at the latest research to find what works in helping people live as full a life as possible with chronic pain.
The programme involves patient education, exercise and relaxation.
The outcomes were studied and showed people completing the programme had significant improvements in their confidence to cope with pain.
Feedback forms are now also used within the service to ensure continual improvement.
Many patients expressed they experienced benefits, such as feeling a better level of understanding and acceptance, and being able to improve their level of exercise, ultimately improving their quality of life.
