caring Communication

Mental Health Nurse receives
National Bravery Award
A
Dublin nurse has been honoured
with a national bravery
award. On the morning of
December 11 2013, Paul
Lynam Loane, a mental health nurse with
Dublin North City Mental Health Services
and based at Phoenix Care Centre, was on
his way home from a night duty shift.
On the North Circular Road, he noticed
flames coming from a window. He immediately
reacted and his quick-thinking
undoubtedly saved the lives of eight to 10
sleeping residents.
“That morning when Paul forcefully
entered the house, he faced many challenges
as, firstly, the residents thought he
was a burglar and, secondly, he encountered
a series of language difficulties as
the residents were non-English speakers.
Paul reassured the residents and managed
to evacuate them safely from the burning
building,” explained his line manager at the
Phoenix Care Centre, Margaret Mitchell,
Director of Nursing – Assistant, who nominated
him for the award.
“Paul’s quick and selfless action is in
keeping with his person-centred approach
which he brings to his work each
day. He is a dedicated young
nurse who can be relied
upon to react appropriately
to whatever situation
he is faced with.
Paul’s great skills and
abilities were put to
the test that morning.
His capacity to remain
calm and win the confidence
of strangers is a
tribute to those skills.”
After the emergency services
arrived and dealt with the fire,
Paul continued home and after a few hours
rest he returned to the house in order
to check if the residents were safe. Paul
reported for duty that night despite the
events that occurred earlier in the day.
“Most people’s natural reaction would be
to respond in some way to seeing a house
on fire but it was the quality of Paul’s
response in this situation which deemed
him worthy of a nomination for a bravery
award,” added Margaret.
It was a great honour for
Paul to receive a National
Bravery Certificate and
Bronze Medal Award
at Farmleigh House in
November.
“There are times when
the media would have
us believe that such
acts of bravery, kindness
and caring are long
vanished from modern day
Ireland. We at Dublin North
City Mental Health Services are very
privileged to have such a hero working on
our team and wish Paul all the best in the
future,” said Margaret.
Margaret Mitchell (DON-A) and Paul Lynam Loane (Mental
Health Nurse) receiving his award at the National
Bravery Awards Ceremony held in Farmleigh House.
EXCELLENCE in COACHING
Excellence in coaching and the profession’s contribution to
Irish people, communities and the economy were celebrated at a
Gala in December, hosted by the Irish Chapter of the International
Coach Federation (ICF). Individual coaches from all over Ireland
were shortlisted for their work with clients in areas such as business,
executive and career coaching; sports, life and wellness coaching and
many others.
Finalists included members of the Health Services Executive, Anne
Marie Frizzell, Jim Doherty and Niall Gogarty. Niall Gogarty, Senior
Administrative Officer in the National Human Resources Department
of the Health Service Executive was awarded the Executive Coach of
the Year. Niall has also been instrumental in developing a coaching
culture within the organisation to provide support to staff in their
personal and professional development, and enabling their teams
to continuously strive for success. Niall is responsible
for the Coaching
Network in his area,
which includes a
team of 17 coaches,
who are highly
experienced and
provide coaching
services to staff
from all disciplines.
Niall is also a
qualified Coaching
Supervisor.
vital service wins award
Advanced Paramedic Liam Duffy and Paramedic Paddy Doherty, both Letterkenny
Ambulance Station, with Theresa Mannion at the RSA award ceremony. The 2015 RSA
Leading Light award in the Public Service Category was awarded to the Donegal Road
Safe Show, in which the NAS in Donegal played a major role.
spring 2016 | health matters | 25