Carlow man gets lifetime achievement award for nursing

GERRY Hutton from St Killian’s Crescent, Carlow has just been presented with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his work in mental health nursing.

Gerry was presented with the accolade for his work in the South Dublin, Kildare and West Wicklow Mental Health Services at a special awards ceremony that took place recently in Kill, Co Kildare. Gerry, who has been a psychiatric nurse for 50 years, won the award after being nominated and voted for by his peers who work alongside him in the services.

“It was a lovely surprise to win this award; it’s a great achievement, especially since it was my colleagues who voted for me,” said a delighted Gerry. “I’ve been nursing for half a century but it still feels like yesterday when I was walking up the steps to St Senan’s Hospital, Enniscorthy, where I trained in 1974.” Director of nursing Áine Daly presented the award to Gerry, who was accompanied by his wife Joan.

“What makes Gerry such a special nurse is that he loves being with his patients. Whether he’s having a coffee with them or going for a walk, or just sitting and listening to them, you’ll always see him with his patients. He’s a very reassuring person to have here; he’s like a safe haven for both the patients and the staff. He’s a great example to the younger nurses coming up,” said Áine.

Gerry originally trained and worked in St Senan’s Hospital in Enniscorthy from 1974, moving back to Carlow in 1981, where he worked in the community. He’s currently based in the acute unit in Lakeview Hospital, Naas, where he works on a part-time basis.

He recalls working in the community with patients from Carlow town, Tullow and Rathvilly, where he forged sincere relationships with his patients.

“I really became part of people’s families. I worked with people so that they could stay and be safe and well in their own homes. I’ve seen a lot of changes in mental health services. I started out working in institutions in the 1970s and the community aspect (to mental health nursing) was only just beginning to progress. Patients were beginning to live back in their own communities, which was such a positive move.” He was inspired to go into nursing while still a teenager, having done a summer job in the Sacred Heart Home, Carlow. He saw at first hand the level of care that vulnerable people needed, finding his calling when he helped out the nurses with the elderly patients. He especially remembers that the home was also a shelter for people with mental health issues, who had nowhere else to go and who needed a safe place to be.

“The Sacred Heart Home is where I got my grounding for nursing,” explained Gerry.

After 50 years of listening, helping and caring for vulnerable people, Gerry has seen some huge changes in mental health services.

“I’ve seen the transition of care for the patients being put into the community, which was a very positive move. Everything is patient-oriented now, which is all for the better. I still enjoy going into work: it’s very satisfying to be able to help the patients and build up relationships with them. I’ve been nursing since I left school. It’s a skill I have and I love it,” said Gerry.