Newcastle family joins the frontline during pandemic

Newcastle family joins the frontline during pandemic

6 May 2020

A NEWCASTLE father – whose entire family of seven work in the NHS – has urged people to take care of their mental health during the coronavirus lockdown.

Noel McDonald and Ann, his wife of 32 years, are senior healthcare professionals working in mental health services in Belfast.

Mr McDonald made the call as he spoke of his pride at the three youngest of his five children becoming mental health nurses during the health emergency.

Aaron (25), Callum (23) and Niamh (21) were in their final year at university when they were released early into frontline hospitals when the coronavirus pandemic hit.

The couple’s eldest son Daniel, who is 30, is a senior social worker in the Belfast Trust and another son, 28-year-old Ryan, works with children’s services as an agency healthcare support worker.

Mr McDonald is an operations manager at the Shannon Clinic at Knockbracken Healthcare Park in Belfast while Mrs McDonald works as a professional nurse lead, also in the Belfast Trust. The couple have 72 years of experience between them.

Mr McDonald is also chairman of Bryansford GAC and his children have all played for the club.

He spoke of the importance of keeping physically fit and active to maintain mental health during the lockdown.

“Ann and I are immensely proud of all children’s achievements, especially at this challenging Covid-19 time,” said Mr McDonald.

“We never encouraged them to come into health care. They had to develop the interest themselves. But we are so delighted and so proud that they did follow in our footsteps.”

Aaron and Callum, were studying in the same class at Queen’s University Belfast and are now working at Lagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn, and Belfast City Hospital, respectively. Niamh, who works at Antrim’s Holywell Hospital, was studying at the Ulster University at Magee in Derry.

Mr McDonald said: “Like any newly qualified health professionals, they were initially worried about going into the frontline but the support and training they got from their universities has been amazing. Their ward manager and other Trust staff have been so supportive and helped them settle into their new roles.

“While we are immensely proud at the contribution all our children are making at the moment, our message is really about protecting your mental health and working at your own positive self-esteem and keeping up with your physical fitness in order to maintain your mental health. All of our lives have been focused around doing that, including the children.

“Working in mental health can be very draining but Ann and I have so much job satisfaction over the years and enjoyed every minute of it helping people. We wish that for our children as well,” said Mr McDonald.

He further stressed that help was still available for anyone who was experiencing mental health problems.

“We are very aware that during the lockdown people have not been getting out and about as normal. Those who need mental support could be taking alcohol, drugs or whatever during self-isolation.

“The message that I’m trying to put out is for people who are suffering from mental health issues should still be seeking help, even under these circumstances. The health service has not stopped providing mental health services. It’s still open and people should feel that they can access those services.”