Nursing award in memory of Lorna Telford

Nursing award in memory of Lorna Telford

20 June 2018

QUEEN’S University has presented an award which honours the memory of a former Downpatrick health professional.

Mrs Lorna Telford — who lost her brave battle with cancer almost four years ago — was an assistant director with the South Eastern Health Trust and highly regarded by her peers in the field of safe and effective care.

Eight months after her passing at the age of just 49, the Trust launched a bi-annual award in Lorna’s name recognising care and compassion in nursing and midwifery. 

Last week, Queen’s University awarded the second Lorna Telford Palliative Care Award to palliative care student nurse Gemma McMillen. 

The university prize of £100 will be presented annually for 10 years, with Gemma chosen for the award by academic staff at Queen’s.

The university prize was established in Lorna’s memory by her husband David, daughters Emma and Evie and the South Eastern Health Trust.

In addition to her unwavering dedication to her family — particularly her daughters of whom she was fiercely proud — Lorna was committed to her professional life and was focused on ensuring excellent patient care within the South Eastern Trust where she was highly regarded.

During last week’s presentation at Queen’s, Dr Karen McCutcheon, head of education at the university, thanked the Telford family for being in attendance and for sponsoring the award in Lorna’s memory.

Dr McCutcheon said the award was something “dear to everyone’s heart” at the university and thanked Lorna’s family for sponsoring the annual prize.

Lorna’s husband and daughters are delighted her contribution to patients and health service standards is recognised by both Queen’s University and the South Eastern Trust.

They say they take great comfort from the many kind words said about Lorna who was a very committed health professional, putting patients at the centre of everything she did, with her key aim improving patient experience through quality improvement initiatives.

“We are delighted Lorna’s memory lives on through these two awards. Lorna worked tremendously hard to drive up patient standards and care,” the family said.

“We hope the award in her name will inspire the recipients to aspire to the high standards Lorna set, always putting patients first.”

The Telford family said Lorna’s former colleagues and all those whom she came into contact with during her working life remember her fondly and hold her memory dear.

“They particularly value the impact and influence Lorna made on individuals and those in the nursing profession,” the family continued.

“Lorna has been described as a role model for the professions and someone who had a relentless focus on compassionate patient care and pursuit of high quality standards, putting the patients and their safe and effective care at the heart of everything she did. We are delighted to support an award which recognises the next generation of nurses.”