Causeway Coast and Glens Honour NHS Staff with Freedom of the Borough

On Friday, April 19, the health and care staff of the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council was granted the Freedom of the Borough for their work pre- and post-COVID.

The formal conferral ceremony was held in the Coleraine Town Hall and presided over by Councillor Steven Callaghan, mayor of the Causeway Coast and Glens Council.

More than 100 people attended the event, including representatives from both the Northern and Western Health and Social Care Trusts, as well as workers from the NI Ambulance Service.

Also in attendance was the Lord-Lieutenant of County Derry, Alison Millar, High Sheriff of County Derry, Linda Steele, and the Chairs of the Northern Trust (Anne O’Reilly) and Western Trust (Dr Tom Frawley CBE).

NHS members took their seats ahead of the entrance of elected Councillors and executive directors from both the Northern Trust and Western Trust.

The ceremony featured the Altnagelvin Hospital Choir, under the guidance of Musical Director Derek Collins.

According to the Honorary Freedom of Borough Act 1885, councils throughout the UK can give the Freedom of the Borough to any person or organisation who made an outstanding service to the borough.

“It is the biggest accolade that the council can give to anybody or any group of people or individuals,” said the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Steven Callaghan.

“We decided that we would give the Freedom of the Borough to the people, the staff of the NHS, who battled sort of COVID through the pandemic and continue to this day to provide a fantastic service, under great pressure. It's one of the most disturbing things that I've been involved in.”

The motion was put forward on October 2023, before being validated by the Council's Members who resolved to grant The Freedom of the Borough to health

and social care workers ‘who have and continue to provide selfless, dedicated and high-quality life-saving care to patients and family members in NHS facilities, community settings and households across Causeway Coast and Glens Borough’.

“It's a fantastic achievement and it is a great honour,” said the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Steven Callaghan.

“It's very much deserved by the people who are getting the award, especially in today's climate of financial cutbacks and pressure. We've had a lot of issues around health at the moment.

“This award is for every member of Team North who, regardless of their role or job

title, regardless of the uniform they wear or don’t wear; they put the needs of others

before their own, providing the highest standards of care in our community.”

Both Northern and Western Trusts were present to receive the Freedom of Causeway Coast

and Glens Borough Council.

“At a time of such pressure on health and social care, it is great that our community leaders are recognizing their contribution to society. I feel extremely humbled to accept this award on their behalf,” said Western Trust Chief Executive Neil Guckian OBE.

He also said that this recognition is welcome after the COVID period where ‘the social care staff had a really difficult time in terms of personnel life but also intense pressure on their workload and that has continued post-covid’.

“Health and social care is a 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year service and I pay tribute to all staff, in community settings and facilities including hospitals for their dedication and focus on patients and clients,” Mr Guckian said.

Many healthcare professionals from different departments of the NHS attended the event, including the Limavady Family and Childcare Team.

Selina McKinney and Michelle Murphy have been working for ten years and 19 years respectively in the childcare sector in the Western Trust. 

“We're in a very privileged position that we are helping families to help themselves and support their families and children,” said Michelle.

“It is an honour and a privilege for us both to receive the Freedom of the Borough on behalf of our team and the wider Western Health and Social Care Trust.”

Other professionals working in the Western Trust accepted the award for their team such as Rachel Greer, who was a nurse for 20 years before moving to the urology section for the last ten years. 

“It's great to have that contribution that we make recognised and the impact that we have on health and social care. It's a privilege to be here,” said Ms Greer.

She was accompanied by Rose Marie O'Kane who has been working in the NHS for 42 years. 

“This award is a great honour. We're here on behalf of all our colleagues that are based in the hospitals and the clinics working on the wards,” added Rose Marie.