15/12/2025
Western Trust have been recognised at the Trust’s 2025 Staff Recognition Awards. The annual awards ceremony was held at the Everglades Hotel, Derry/Londonderry recently.
The annual Staff Recognition Awards are the highlight of the Western Trust’s year, celebrating the outstanding contribution of staff. There are twelve main award categories and nine professional awards, each designed to acknowledge individual staff and teams and celebrate leadership, compassion, innovation, patient care and working together.
Welcoming everyone to the Trust’s Staff Recognition Awards ceremony, Western Trust Chair, Dr Tom Frawley CBE, said:
“This event is one of the highlights of our year – a time when we come together not only to celebrate your achievements, but to recognise the unwavering commitment, compassion and resilience you demonstrate every single day.
“Staff are the beating heart of the Western Trust, playing a vital role in the care we deliver to our patients, service users and the communities we serve. Whether you work on the frontline, within our local communities, or behind the scenes, every contribution matters.
“Our challenges remain constant, and the need to adapt and evolve continues. Yet, we rarely get the opportunity to pause to acknowledge the incredible work, innovation and dedication that happens across our Trust every day. That is precisely what the Staff Recognition Awards are about.”
“Behind every finalist and team represented is a story of colleagues supporting one another, and of individuals who have gone above and beyond to make a real difference to patients and service users. They are what makes our health and social care service such a unique environment.”
Trust Chief Executive, Neil Guckian expressed his deep appreciation to staff, he said:
“Every nominee represents the very best of our values. Whether delivering direct patient care, supporting services behind the scenes or driving innovation, they have made a meaningful difference to the lives of those we serve. I am incredibly proud of our workforce and humbled by their continued commitment to improving health outcomes for our communities.
“Whilst the awards highlight outstanding successes, and the implementation of encompass was a huge collective achievement this year, they also reflect the daily efforts of thousands of staff who consistently show resilience, skill and kindness. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all Trust staff for always striving to deliver the highest standards of care.
“Our system continues to face significant pressure, but the strength, creativity and compassion of our staff gives me a continuing confidence in our ability to meet these challenges together.”
ASHA Centre team members presented the Patient Feedback Award by Karen O'Brien and Neil Guckian
Sharlene Boyle Family Support Worker T&F Hospital Highly Commended Rising Star presented by Neil Guckian
Roisin Breen Practice Based Pharmacist Community SS Highly Commended Improvement & Involvement
Nuala McLaughlin Award Presented To Louise Robinson SW W&C Services Rossdowney House by members of Nuala's family and Neil Guckian
Maria Cunningham Lifetime Achievement Omagh, presented by Neil Guckian
Lifetime Achievement Award Alison Bristow LD Dementia Nurse Community presented by Neil Guckian
Brendan McGrath Lifetime Achievement Award winner presented by Neil Guckian
Clare Charles Dementia Champion SWAH Highly Commended Frontline Champion
Catherine Sloan Senior Community Staff Nurse SS Highly Commended Community Champion Award
Bronagh Cooper Asst Manager Health Improvement Highly Commended Rising Star
Aidan McSteen Highly Commended Spirit Award
Tara Moran Team Admin Addictions Service SWAH Highly Commended Supporting Our Services Champion
Roisin Breen Practice Based Pharmacist Community SS Highly Commended Improvement & Involvement
Paula Murray Interim Team Leader Adult Physical Disability Community SS Highly Commended Spirit Award
Michelle Bryson Senior Manager Acute Paediatrics Altnagelvin & SWAH Highly Commended Leading The Way
Kerry Cusack Family Support Worker SWAH Highly Commended Championing Our Health
Josie Doran Fermangh Highly Commended in Leading the Way Award presented by Mark Gillespie
Jenny Armstrong Senior Mental Nurse Community SS Highly Commended Leading The Way presented by Mark Gillespie
Internation Medical Recruitment Team Trustwide winners of the Working Together Team Award presented by Neil Guckian
ICP Trustwide Highly Commended in the Working Together Team Award presented by Neil Guckian
Estates Trustwide Team High Commended in the Working Together Team Award presented by Neil Guckian
Eimear Watson ICU Manager SWAH Spirit Award Winner presented by Neil Guckian and Geraldine McKay
Eimear Watson ICU Manager SWAH Chairs Award presented by Trust Chair Dr Tom Frawley
Dr Theordore Liapman Rising Star Winner FERMANAGH
Courtney Carruth Winner Supporting Our Services FERMANAGH
Dr Damien McMullan Consultant In Palliative Medicine Altnagelvin Winner Frontline Champion
Dr Ashish Alexander Speciality Doctor Anaesthetist Altnagelvin Highly Commended Frontline Champion
Bronagh Hasson Medical Secretary Altnagelvin Hospital Supporting Our Services Champion
Belinda Munjoma Winner Rising Star DERRY
Aseptics & Cancer Services Pharmacy Team Altnagelvin Highly Commended Improvement & Involvement
The Darren Strawbridge MH & Wellbeing Award Mairead Donnelly SW AMH&D Old Bridge House
Teresa Coyle Social Worker Community NS Winner Community Champion Award
Switchboard Team Altnagelvin Highly Commended
Shauna McDermott Haematology Nurse Altnagelvin Hilary Curry Cup Award
Seamus Brolly Leading The Way WINNER DERRY
Patrice Doherty Lifetime Achievement (deceased)
NWCC Health & Wellbeing Steering Group Altnagelvin Winners Championing Our Health Award
Nuala McLaughlin Award Presented To Louise Robinson SW W&C Services Rossdowney House
Niall Doody Therapeutic Assistant Gransha Winner Frontline Champion
Nessan McQuaid Arthroplasty Practitioner Altnagelvin Highly Commend Improvement & Involvement
Moira Doherty Management Accountant Gransha Site Highly Commended Supporting Our Services Champion
Michelle Bryson Senior Manager Acute Paediatrics Altnagelvin & SWAH Highly Commended Leading The Way
Martin Robinson Lead Biomedical Scientist Altnagelvin Gerry McKenna Award For Excellence In Health Science
Marietta Connor Asst Radiology Services Manager Breast Screening Winner Leading The Way
Macmillan ALD Cancer Services & LD Cancer Pathway Altnagelvin Highly Commended Improvement & Involvement
Lifetime Achievement Award Accepted On Behalf Of Hubert Lynch Mortuary Attendant Altnagelvin Hospital
James McCallion Highly Commended Derry
Helen Nutt CVAD Specialist Nurse Altnagelvin Receives The Anona Clarke Award
Helen Nutt CVAD Specialist Nurse Altnagelvin Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr Jenny Fairfield Consultant Community Paediatrician Gransha Highly Commended Leading The Way
