WATCH: Derry's inspirational nurses honoured by Ulster University

WATCH: Derry's inspirational nurses honoured by Ulster University. (Video courtesy of Billy Scampton).

The first-ever student nurses to train at Altnagelvin - the first purpose-built NHS hospital - have been honoured at a special awards ceremony in Ulster University (UU), Magee.

Speaking to The Derry News before the event in the Great Hall, Henry Sproule, who was instrumental in bringing the event to fruition, said it had been “fantastic” to meet the “Pioneering Nurses  - The Class of 1959”.

Honourees: Front row: Nadine Nilsen, Rose McGillian's daughter who picked up Louisa Kelly’s award; Siobhan for her mother Greta Linehan; Ann Evans; Ursula Clifford; Rose McGillian (née Flanagan) and Margaret Curley.
Back row: Aisling Clifford for Pat Cowley; Sheila for Bridie Mc Cann; Frank Long for his wife, Olive; Frank Exstrom for Yolanda; and Cathal Curley for Maureen Lagan.

A lecturer in Adult Nursing on the campus, he added: “They were the first intake to enter the profession in Altnagelvin and it was nice for Ulster University to honour that special occasion. 

“Today is our annual awards for the School of Nursing and Paramedic Science. Each November we take the opportunity to recognise students who have gone over and above and beyond in terms of excelling within their course or when they have been out in practice and people have noticed that they have done well.

“That was an ideal opportunity to bring in our Pioneering Nurses as well, to recognise the contribution they have made to healthcare in Northern Ireland and obviously where they have travelled further afield as well. 

“I am sure they have made a difference in the lives of people they have helped and supported, so, from that point of view, we are delighted to have them here today,” said Henry Sproule.

The family of the late Gretta Linehan (née Doherty). Front, from left: daughter Cathy, husband Patrick and son Patrick Jr. Back, from left: daughters Jolene and Shona.

The nurses honoured on Friday were: Ursula Clifford (née Sharkey), Margaret Curley (née Woods), Maureen Sinewicz (née Lagan), Anne Evans (née Gamble), Pat Cowley (née Gormley), Rose McGillian (née Flanagan), Olive Allen (née Long), Bridie Zimmer (née McCann), Frances Shephard (née Barr), Louisa Hughes (née Kelly), Yolanda Ekstrom (née Martin) deceased, Agatha Dutton (née Cooke) deceased, Gretta Linehan (née Doherty) deceased, and Brigid Young deceased.

Derry's pioneering nurses to be honoured by Ulster University

Trailblazers: The Class of 1959 were the first to staff the newly opened Altnagelvin Hospital

Professor Ben Fitzpatrick, assistant director of nursing with the Western Trust and UU professor of nursing research, said he felt “extremely privileged” to be representing the Trust and UU at the ceremony.

He added: “They are Pioneering Nurses in every sense of the word. They were the first student nurses in Altnagelvin Hospital who welcomed all of those patients from the community hospitals into the big, new Altnagelvin hospital as it was then.

The family of Olive Allen (née Long), who unfortunately could not attend the ceremony: husband Derek, daughter Ruth, son David and granddaughter Sam.

“They were also pioneering because they led the way for thousands of student nurses who followed in their footsteps.

“It is extremely humbling to think about what they did throughout the last few decades, in particular of course, the Troubles. I am absolutely proud and privileged to be here today. 

Margaret Curley (née Woods) with husband Cathal.

“The Trust recognised the commitment and the dedication the nurses showed over their careers in the Trust. I am also representing our director of nursing Donna Keenan. We are very, very proud of them all, said Professor Fitzpatrick.

Frank Ekstrom, husband of the late Yolande Ekstrom (née Martin).

Addressing the Pioneering Nurses in a moving speech at the awards ceremony, Professor Fitzpatrick said: “Wherever your lives have taken you, it is overwhelming to think how many lives you have saved, how many new lives you have welcomed into the world, and how many hands you have held as you cared for those whose life had come to an end.

“On behalf of the Western Trust and Ulster University, thank you,” said Professor Fitzpatrick.

Speaking to The Derry News after the ceremony, honouree Rose McGillian (née Flanagan), who now lives in London, revealed she had only retired from nursing three years ago at the age of 80,  after an extremely varied career.

Ann Evans (née Gamble).

Originally from the outskirts of Strabane, Rose went on to study midwifery in Scotland, in Kirkintilloch - then a ‘dry’ town just outside Glasgow. She went on to work at Queen Charlotte’s hospital in London, before becoming a school nurse for a year, before becoming a health visitor, and finally a health visitor tutor. 

“I retired at 62 but went back as a health visitor three days a week,” said Rose, who added Friday’s ceremony was “lovely, very touching”.

Rose McGillian (née Flanagan) with daughter Nadine Nilsen.