THREE outstanding staff members at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) have been acknowledged for the difference they make in their patients’ lives.

At a ceremony in the hospital on Friday, Laura Sweeney, Pauline Ferry and Claire McBride were chosen to receive a ‘DAISY Award’ after being nominated by co-workers and patients.

The DAISY Award is an international recognition programme that honours and celebrates the exceptional clinical skill and extraordinary compassion that Nurses and Midwives provide to patients and their families every day. 

Established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes in the United States after his passing at the age of 33, the DAISY Foundation has grown into a global movement, with participating hospitals recognising caregivers who go above and beyond in their roles.

At LUH, four DAISY Award ceremonies are held annually. 

Each nominee is presented with a DAISY nomination certificate and pin, with three honourees selected per quarter to receive the prestigious DAISY Award. 

Honourees receive a hand-carved ‘Healer’s Touch’ sculpture, an honouree pin, a certificate, and cinnamon buns to share with colleagues which is a tradition that began with Patrick Barnes’ family. 

Attendees at the Daisy Awards that took place in the Letterkenny University Hospital on Friday.

Lorna Sweeney, Clinical Midwife Specialist (CMS) Loss and Bereavement was nominated for the award for her calming, kind approach and clear, compassionate communication of difficult information, which helped a bereaved family to navigate both the practical and emotional elements of their tragic loss. 

Pauline Ferry, Advanced Midwife Practitioner (AMP) Diabetes in Pregnancy was nominated by a patient for ‘the astonishing work she does every day’. 

Her nomination highlighted her empowering approach to the delivery of information, guidance and support and her genuine care and dedication to all her patients. 

Claire McBride, Staff Nurse, Haematology/Oncology Ward was nominated by the family of a patient, not only for her exemplary nursing skills, knowledge and compassion but her genuine interest in their father on his final journey. 

The family noted how he brightened every time he saw Claire coming on shift and they thanked her for the positive impact she had, during a hugely traumatic time.

In 2024 alone, over 120 LUH Nurses and Midwives were nominated, with many nominations coming directly from grateful patients and their families. 

Friday’s quarter three awards were deeply moving, with 28 nominees celebrated for their exceptional dedication and compassionate patient care. 

Throughout the nominations process the Emergency Department in LUH was identified as a particular area for commendation, in total eight wonderful nurses from the ED were nominated. These nurses went above and beyond in a very challenging environment whilst always focusing on quality patient care.

Una Cardin, Director of Nursing, in LUH said “On behalf of Marion Doogan, Director of Midwifery and myself, I would like to congratulate Claire, Pauline, and Lorna. 

“Your professionalism, knowledge, compassion and the excellent therapeutic relationships you have with your patients and clients exemplifies everything the DAISY award was established to recognise. 

“We want you to know that the organisation is very proud of you all, your deserved recognition is a testament to the powerful impact of your everyday actions.”