Passionate about community work

KAREN QUINLAN

KAREN QUINLAN loves her job as a district nurse at Royton Health Centre, where she deals with everything from changing bandages to looking after the terminally ill.

And her dedication to making sure her patients are properly looked after has earned her a Pride in Oldham nomination.

Karen (45), a mother-of-two, has been a community nurse for 14 years and has been based in Royton for the past two.

She and her team help people who have had surgery to recuperate at home by visiting them every day to make sure their wounds are clean and dressed correctly.

She said: “I enjoy my job and am passionate about community nursing as I feel it’s the best way to connect with patients in one-to-one relationships.

“You will never see me working in a hospital as I feel that environment is very sterile compared with the kind of work I do. My heart lies in the community and I will be doing this job as long as I can.

“I feel proud to be nominated and it feels good to know someone appreciates what we are trying to do.”

Ann Babyk, who nominated Karen for the award, said: “Since I moved to Shaw last year, Karen has been my inspiration. She has supported me with my diet and I have lost a lot of weight with her help.

“When I was laid-up with bed sores, her support and care got me through and now I’m a different woman. “I’ve still got a long way to go but I know she will be there for me throughout.

“Karen is a loyal, caring and excellent nurse and I think she is an angel to all her patients. The NHS should feel honoured to have such a nurse.”

l To nominate someone for a Pride in Oldham award, fill in and return the nomination form (right).