Three members of the Healthcare Team at Maghaberry Prison have won a major health award. Prison Service Nurse Officers Tara Sanderson, Rhonda Fagan and Julie Stewart won top honors in the mental health section of the Annual NI Healthcare Awards Ceremony, organized by NI Medical Review, at the Europa Hotel last night.

Their work, which was primarily related to the management of depression and anxiety, within the Prison Service context, has raised the profile of the range of Mental Health issues being dealt with in the prison system and has brought information sharing to a new level.

In congratulating the team on this tremendous achievement, Dr Philip McClements, Associate Director of Healthcare for the Northern Ireland Prison Service, said:

“It is fantastic news that the NI Prison Service has been recognized for the quality of its service. To win such a prestigious award in any circumstances is very special but it is even more commendable as they were competing against the wider healthcare sector.

“This is a tremendous vote of confidence in prison healthcare in general and mental healthcare in particular.

“The Maghaberry Healthcare Team provide a first rate, innovative and dynamic service that is to a standard in keeping with, or in this case exceeding, the norm. This contributes to the holistic approach across the range of services available to prisoners.

“There is no doubt that this award-winning work helped many inmates to address problems relating to their mental health. This in turn underpins the rehabilitation of offenders, which contributes to our aim to safeguard society”



Notes to Editors

The Management of Depression & Anxiety Mental Health Award was sponsored by WYETH

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