Hilary wins nursing award for great care

Hilary wins nursing award for great care

11 November 2015

WITH a natural bedside manner, Hilary Blakley has made life better for some of the most seriously ill people in the district.

The Ballynahinch woman is a palliative care support worker for the South Eastern Trust and recently beat many worthy contenders to win the Trust’s ‘Going The Extra Mile’ award.

In what would have been traditionally known as an auxiliary nursing role, Hilary calls to patients in their own homes with the aim of making them as comfortable as possible.

Several of the families she tended to were interviewed by the Trust in advance of the judges’ decision— the results of which can be seen in a ‘Going the Extra Mile’ YouTube video — and all were glowing in their praise.

With many commenting on the ease with which Hilary fitted into difficult and sensitive situations, the mum of two admitted that such skills tend to come naturally and cannot always be taught.

Hilary (37) has been in her current role for six years but has been working for the Trust for the past 19 years. Getting her clients to smile if she can, and relaxing them and their families is what makes her day.

“I get so much out of it and the families get so much out of it,” she said.

“It is me going in and helping them. They know I work closely with the district nurses and occupational therapists, everybody is linked. We are respectful of what the others are doing and the families feel comfortable.”

Hilary started work at the age of 16 in Redburn Clinic in Ballynahinch and was also a much loved member of staff at Grove House in Ballynahinch and St John’s House in Downpatrick. She has had plenty of experience in dealing with elderly and vulnerable patients and her current role is varied.

“Some days you can be there for a short time, sometimes for a long time,” she said. “You judge the time to spend. You can be washing them, tending to sores, taking them out.”

Whether providing respite care or tending to end of life care, Hilary said it was often easier for her to step into personal care roles that the patient and relatives, no matter how close, may find difficult.

“It is about respect,” she said. “I take their hand and explain what I am going to do.

“You also have to take the time to understand what the client wants. They can get overwhelmed with family. They do not always want to let go to family members.  But they can say to me: ‘Look Hilary, this is how I am feeling…’. They like to open up to me.

“You also have to judge fairly quickly how the family is and how the family would like you to be. 

“I think the relatives come to feel a trust in you. Once they get to know you they let you sort of take over. You need to have time to build trust and the Trust are very good at giving me that time.”

With 83 people up for her award at the Trust’s recent Chairman’s Recognition Awards at the La Mon Hotel, Hilary’s category was whittled down to three finalists. Named the overall winner, Hilary said she was delighted her hard work had been recognised.

“I was very shocked,” she said. “My category was the only award for a single person. The rest were groups.

“The Trust have said they will support me in further training and development opportunities to help fulfil my role.

“I really want to stay in this field and hope there are opportunities to continue to help people in need as I feel I am one of those people who can give a high level of end of life care.

“I love palliative care. I love helping people. I want to make people aware that there is this service out there and hopefully it will grow through time.”