The Midlands Public Health Team receiving their HSE Excellence Award from Dr Colm Henry, HSE; (from left) Stephen Malone, Jodie Fogarty, Orla Dunne, Anne Pardy, Edel Evans, Mary Hayden, Dr Una Fallon, Patricia Carney, Laura Smith, Therese Masterson, Niamh Kelly, Carmel McGreal and Sarah Hensey.

Midlands Public Health Team receive HSE Excellence Award

The Midlands Public Health Team have received the HSE Excellence Award for their contribution to dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Una Fallon, who accepted the award on behalf of the team, said: “It gives me great pleasure to accept this award on behalf of the team in the Department of Public Health in the midlands.

“I am delighted to be able to thank each one of the team personally. I cannot commend you highly enough for all you have done during the pandemic, the commitment you have shown and the personal sacrifices you have made in monitoring and preventing Covid in the midlands, supporting people and supporting other services.

“Members of the team changed quite a bit during the last two years, but the character and the ethos of the midlands team endured and will persist into the future.”

Dr Colm Henry, HSE chief clinical officer, said: “It is an honour to present the HSE Excellence Award to all staff of Public Health departments across the country.

“Hundreds of hard-working staff in every region, including doctors, nurses, surveillance teams, contact tracers and administrative staff, have played a unique role throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Many lives have been saved through their tireless efforts in outbreak management and control, the tracking and tracing of the disease, and breaking and preventing numerous chains of transmission in the community.

“While the work of Public Health is ongoing in this pandemic, it is important that we recognise and acknowledge their major contribution over the last two years.”