The badge was presented to registered learning disability nurse Noel Fagan by deputy chief nurse Hilary Garratt on Thursday as part of the university’s centenary celebration of the speciality.
“Noel uses his experiences to inspire the next generation of nurses”
Hilary Garratt
Mr Fagan was also the first nurse in academia to be given the gold award as part of the programme spearheaded by English CNO Dr Ruth May to reward nursing excellence.
Gold badges are given to those who show ”outstanding achievements or an exceptional, significant contribution by an individual with a distinguished career in nursing and midwifery”, while silver badges are awarded for “performance that goes beyond the expectations of the job”.
Working in the field of disability nursing for 43 years, Mr Fagan also teaches part-time on the Integrated Practice in Learning Disabilities Nursing and Social Work programme at Salford.
His colleagues recognised his outstanding service to the community by a surprise nomination.
During the presentation Ms Garratt said: “The people of Greater Manchester and the University of Salford have benefitted immensely from this huge talent, significant experience, and strong values that drives everything you do.
“The values that underpin what we do as learning disabilities nurses are going to carry on into the future”
Noel Fagan
“Noel uses his experiences to inspire the next generation of nurses and inspire people who are practicing already,” Ms Garratt highlighted.
In response, Mr Fagan praised the achievements of his students: “They are inspirational, and one of the things that gives me the most confidence for the future is that the values that underpin what we do as learning disabilities nurses are going to carry on into the future.”
Silver awards were also awarded to two other University of Salford academics, Shirley Chappell and Jenny Jones, for the contributions they have made to the NHS and to the learning disability nursing profession.
Both women said they were honoured and humbled by their nominations – wanting to “accept the award on behalf of all learning disabilities nurses”.
https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/learning-disability/first-learning-disability-nurse-recognised-with-cno-award/7029510.article