An OU student and an OU lecturer have been recognised for their outstanding nursing at the Royal College of Nursing Nurse of the Year Awards.
Gavin O'Hare, Associate Lecturer at the OU, and Amanda McWilliams, an OU student, scooped the accolade at an awards ceremony in Belfast.
The award recognises Gavin's work in delivering the Bamford vision of mental health care services providing alternatives to hospital admissions, a reduction in re-admission rates, a strengthening of community care, and a focus on recovery.
At the OU Gavin tutors on two courses in Mental Health: KYN293 and KYN225.
An OU colleague said: "We are very lucky to have Gavin on our teaching team in Northern Ireland and offer him our congratulations. Our students benefit greatly from the experience Gavin has in his role as lead nurse in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) - well done Gavin!"
The Home Treatment House is a nurse-led, six-bed facility in a multi-cultural residential part of Belfast, staffed by a lead nurse and with 24 hour mental health nursing cover.
Amanda is currently studying towards a BSc in health and social care with the OU.
Find out more about HSc courses at the OU:
- KYN293 Developing mental health nursing practice
- KYN225 Diverse perspectives on mental health
- BSc in health and social care
Pictured top from left are: Christine Jendoubi, DHSSPS; Gavin O’Hare who won the Bamford Vision Award; and Janice Smyth, Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland.
Pictured bottom from left are: Diane Taylor, DHSSPS; Amanda McWilliams, winner of the Health Care Support Worker Award; and Janice Smyth, Director, RCN Northern Ireland.
