A LONG-SERVING Dundrum nurse has retired after 46 years in the medical field.
After an outstanding career in nursing, which included both midwifery and health visiting services, Dympna Rush, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust clinical lead for health visiting, has retired.
Based in Ward 25 on the Downshire Estate in Downpatrick, Dundrum resident Dympna has dedicated her professional life to supporting children, families and communities across the Trust area, making a lasting impact on generations of families.
Beginning her career in nursing before moving into midwifery and later health visiting, Dympna brought a wealth of clinical expertise, compassion and leadership to every role she undertook.
has been a passionate advocate for early intervention and family-centred care, supporting both families and colleagues, a spokesperson for the health trust said.
As clinical lead for health visiting, Dympna played a key role in developing and supporting services aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people, while mentoring and guiding many health visitors as they started out in their careers.
One notable moment early in her career made the local news.
While working as a staff midwife at Downpatrick Maternity Hospital, Dympna and her identical twin sister Deirdre Smith, who also worked as a staff midwife at the hospital, helped deliver identical twins Michael and Andrew Smyth, of Drumaness.
South Eastern Trust health visitor Jenny Murray was one of Dympna’s colleagues who wished her well on her retirement.
“Dympna has been an incredible source of support and inspiration to so many of us throughout our careers.
Her knowledge, kindness and dedication to families and colleagues have made a lasting impact on Health Visiting services across the Trust,” Jenny said.
“Dympna has always gone above and beyond to support both staff and families and she will be greatly missed by everyone who has had the privilege of working alongside her.”
