Limavady health care worker '˜humbled' by MBE

Liz Dallas, Chief Executive, North West Healthcare Group, said she received a letter two weeks ago telling her about the MBE as part of the Queen’s birthday honours list, but she had to keep it a secret.

“Then I got the official word on Saturday morning,” the 68-year-old told the ‘Journal’. “I am delighted, and I feel very humbled to have been given this award.”

Liz has been a nurse for 50 years, having trained and worked in Altnagelvin up until 1982. She moved closer to home that year to the Roe Valley Hospital where she worked until 1989 when she moved to the Independent Hospital in Ballykelly.

Liz dedicates her award to everyone she has worked with throughout her career.

“I have been a nurse for 50 years and I have worked within the NHS and the private sector. I have always loved caring for people and I feel it’s a great honour to have achieved this award, and also for the team that has worked with me,” she said.

While Liz doesn’t believe the award will make a big difference to her day-to-day life, she said: “I think it shows the dedication I have put into my job and it’s nice to be rewarded for it.”

She said the Independent Hospital is one of the biggest employers in the area and described it as “a key part of the community”.

Liz also thanked her family - husband Bob and children Alan and Suzanne.

Liz will receive her MBE within five months at Buckingham Palace, which allows her plenty of time to find the perfect outfit she admits “will have to be something pretty special”.

On Tuesday, colleagues at the Independent Hospital surprised Liz with a celebration to mark her award.