Page 47 - QARANC Vol 16 No 2 2018

Northern Ireland Branch
Royal College of Nursing Congress – Belfast 2018
The RCN Congress was held in The Waterfront Centre 12-16 May 2018. There were over 5000 registered delegates, making it the biggest conference ever hosted by Belfast. Several hundred exhibitors were also present.
The opening service held by the RCN for Congress was organised with input from The Florence Nightingale Foundation. This took place in St Malachy’s Church, Belfast on Saturday 12 May 2018 at 1430 hours and was attended
The Florence Nightingale symbolic lamp on the altar of St Malachy’s Church
by around 400 nurses. The service itself was organised and conducted by the Chaplains to Hospitals and included contributions from Islamic, Baha’i, Hindu and Christian faiths.
During the opening hymn The Florence Nightingale symbolic lamp was brought forward by Joan Thompson OBE RRC, escorted by four nurses and was placed on the altar by The President of the RCN, Cecilia Akrisie Anim CBE. The President then pronounced the Welcome.
President of the RCN Cecilia Akrisie Anim
Representatives of the RCN Defence Nursing Network NI were present. Lead for the Network, Major Gaby Smyth, read the prayer for ‘Those affected by War and Conflict’. A collection was taken for St Malachy’s Church and for The UN Disaster Relief Fund. Music for the service was provided by the Staff Choir of the Belfast Trust.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Joan Thompson OBE RRC
QARANC Association NI Branch
Joan Thompson carrying the lamp escorted by Kathryn Gault, Connie Mitchell, Jill Armstrong, Simon Higgs and Janice Smyth
THE GAZETTE QARANC
Northern Ireland Corps Day Celebration
On 22 March 2018 the QARANC Association Branch Northern Ireland led past and present members of the QARANC in celebration of Corps Day with an interdenominational church service held in Thiepval Garrison Church followed by supper in the Thiepval Officers’ Mess. The service was conducted by Rev Kevin Graham, Padre, 204 Field Hospital and assisted by the Rev Alex Bennett, CF DACG who kindly delivered the address. The lessons were read by Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Byers, Senior Nursing Officer, 204 Field Hospital and Major (Retd) Helen Purvis.
The QA Standard was proudly on display after it was presented to Rev Graham by Major Marie Semple who will be retiring from service later this year. We hope to continue to avail ourselves of her support to the Association in years to come.
Following the service, we made the short walk across to the Thiepval Officers’ Mess to enjoy a light supper and catch up with friends and colleagues from 253 Medical Regiment and make new acquaintances with QAs posted in to RAF Aldergrove and Thiepval Barracks. The evening was concluded by Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Ruth Smith, Chairman Northern Ireland Branch, thanking everyone for
Northern Ireland Branch Association standard proudly carried by Major Marie Semple and supported by members of the branch and clergy
joining in the celebration and marking such an important day in the QA calendar.
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Byers OC Nursing 204 Field Hospital
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BRANCH NEWS