More than 150 newly qualified staff from the Department of Health and Social Care have been congratulated for their achievements at the annual Awards and Graduation Ceremony. 

The ceremony at the Villa Marina took the form of a traditional graduation, with recipients being invited to receive their certificates from senior academic staff and healthcare professionals.

The gathering brings together a broad range of people working in the Island’s health and social care sector who have gained qualifications over the past 12 months, to further their knowledge, skills and careers.

Also presented on the day were a number of Long Service awards and the Chief Ambulance Officer’s Commendation.

Awarding bodies include City & Guilds through which more than 60 people gained QCF qualifications, from  Level 2 Health and Social Care to Leadership awards at Level 5.

Specialist skills in dementia care were honoured with BTEC awards while a signficant number of people gained professional nursing qualifications from the University of Chester.

Fourteen people became a Bachelor of Nursing in the Adult field, and five in Mental Health.

Honour degrees, Masters of Science and Postgraduate certificates were awarded in the name of Manchester Metropolitan University, and individuals advanced up the academic ladder with high level qualifications from five other UK universities.

Guest of Honour, President of the Royal College of Nursing, Dr Cecilia Amin told recipients: “Many of you here have dedicated your entire professional lives to caring for the people of the Isle of Man.

"I hope today has gone some way to recognising the sacrifices you’ve made and the lengths you’ve gone to put your patients first.

"I know it’s a cliche, but in health care, more than in many other professions, you never stop learning!"

Photo by Matt Mosur