WESTERN TRUST: Mental health nurse Yvonne retires after 37 years

A HIGHLY respected nurse from Strabane who worked in multiple hospitals across the Western Trust has retired after working in mental health nursing for 37 years.

Yvonne Cairns the Recovery College Coordinator at Omagh Hospital was joined by colleagues and friends to wish her a long and happy retirement after 37 years in mental health nursing at the Western Trust.

Paying tribute to Yvonne, Valerie Spencer, Service Manager of Recovery Day Opportunities said, “Yvonne has enjoyed a long career working in both inpatient facilities in Gransha in the 1990s before extending her knowledge and skills to the community working as a Community Psychiatric Nurse with the Strabane Recovery Team. After four years as Manager of Carnhill Hotel, she took up the post of Coordinator of the Recovery College, Omagh.

“Yvonne is a highly respected nurse whose commitment to learning and improving practice is outstanding. She has made a significant contribution to the continued development of the Recovery College, engaging with service users to shape and influence services in the future. Yvonne will be greatly missed by both service users and her colleagues.

“Yvonne is looking forward to enjoying her passion for walking in many exotic and challenging terrains and catching up on some reading! We wish her a happy and healthy retirement.”