Alcohol Campaigner Wins Nursing Award
June 5th 2006
A nurse who set out to tackle a massive problem of alcohol-related illness in his local community has been named Northern Ireland nurse of the year. Gary Doherty has been awarded the title by the Royal College of Nursing, the tenth nurse to gain the honour in the province.
Mr Doherty set up an alcohol liaison service in the Mater Hospital in north Belfast with a view to identifying high risk patients at an early stage.
He went on to work in schools and with community groups and to lobby local politicians for action.
Before the service was set up, as many as 100 patients a month visited the emergency department because of alcohol related problems. On average 12 beds a day were occupied by patients being treated for alcohol-related illnesses.
The new service has helped to reduce violent attacks on staff and to reduce admissions for these illnesses, the RCN said.
RCN Northern Ireland Director Mary Hinds said: "Alcohol addiction is a huge problem in Northern Ireland.
"Thanks to the service Gary has provided the number of admissions of those with alcohol-related illnesses has reduced, patients have experienced a shorter length of stay in hospital and are better supported in the community."
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