Posted on: 17 November 2021

Patrick Gillespie, Service Director for health and Justice Services is celebrating a remarkable achievement. It’s 40 years since he first registered as a state enrolled nurse and is still proudly a registered nurse.

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Patrick’s nursing career has spanned four decades and seen him qualify as a general nurse and a mental health nurse.

As a Service Director, Patrick now leads and supports not just skilled nurses and Health Care Assistants across Health & Justice Services but also the wider Team, including: Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, and support staff. He encourages creativity within his team and supports staff to continually develop innovative ways which can improve the care and the experience of patients.

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Patrick said, “On a daily basis I am overwhelmed by the standard of nursing care provided which is validated by feedback from patients, families and carers which inspire as they work with the most challenging patients in really difficult environments yet they deliver that care with respect and compassion. That is why I still care passionately about nursing and why I am proud to be a nurse.”

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In 2024 Patrick will be celebrating 30 years of being a Registered Mental Health Nurse, he jokingly asks “can I hang on for that long?”. Often when a popular president is leaving office supporters chant ‘4 more years’, hopefully Patrick will hear ours and stay as we chant ‘3 more years (at least)!’.  

If you would like to make a difference to peoples lives for the better apply here to become a nurse;  you could have a career like Patrick’s and go from nurse to Service Director.