Vote for '˜touching' photo of local nurse

The photograph of Hilary Blakely with her client was submitted to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) ‘Care on Camera People’s Awards’, which has been organised as part of the RCN 100 Year Centenary celebrations.

The photograph, entitled ‘caring at the heart of the community’, was selected out of thousands of entries as one of just fifty shortlisted images from across the United Kingdom.

Hilary, who is based at Lisburn Health Centre, works alongside the district nursing team, going out to the homes of patients in their end stage of life and doing in her words “whatever they need”.

Hilary was photographed after the Trust saw literally hundreds of thank you cards she has received from people who say Hilary became “a part of their family” in the time leading up to their loved one’s death. Each speaks in glowing terms of her contribution to a difficult time and the photograph demonstrates the empathy she has with her clients.

The photograph will also be added to the RCN archive and will be part of the touring exhibition that will be shared with organisations across the United Kingdom. The winning image will receive a prize of £1,000 which will go to the Palliative Care Team.

Members of the public are being encouraged to vote for Hilary’s photograph by logging onto www.rcn100photo.org.uk/events/royal-college-nursing-100/finalists/931/. Voting closes May 31 at 5pm.