New Letterkenny University Hospital Director of Nursing pledges 'high quality' care

The new Director of Nursing at Letterkenny University Hospital says she wants to to see ‘high quality, safe and effective care that is compassionate and person centred’ at the facility.

Una Cardin, a native of Derry who has lived in Donegal for almost 20 years, has been announced as the new Director of Nursing at Letterkenny University Hospital.

Ms Cardin was most recently the Assistant Director for Operations and Service Improvement for Cancer and Diagnostic Services at the Western Health and Social Care Trust. 

Ms Cardin said: “I believe that every patient should be treated with respect and dignity and their care delivered compassionately and tailored to their specific needs. My vision for nursing services at LUH is that every nurse and healthcare assistant is supported to deliver high quality, safe and effective care that is compassionate and person centred.”

Prior to her role at the Western Health and Social Care Trust, she was the Assistant Director of Nursing at the North West Cancer Centre in Altnagelvin Hospital.

For nine years Una worked in Yorkshire, England, as a Senior Staff Nurse in a Haematology and Oncology Day Unit before specialising as a Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist. 

In 2004, she returned to Northern Ireland, where she spent over seven years working as a Ward Sister in Haematology, Oncology and Palliative Care before progressing to Chemotherapy Department Manager. 

In 2011, Ms Cardin took up a role as the General Manager for Radiotherapy at the North West Cancer Centre in Altnagelvin Hospital where she led on its establishment.

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Her educational background includes postgraduate diplomas and degree courses from the University of Leeds, University of Manchester, Thames Valley University and Ulster University, where she completed specialist practice courses in Breast Cancer, Oncology and Palliative Care, and Radiotherapy. 

Ms Cardin has also undertaken postgraduate studies in Healthcare Leadership and Management and Emergency Planning. In addition, she is a qualified Advanced Communication Facilitator and Critical Incident Stress Management Facilitator to support healthcare staff to engage in complex, compassionate conversations and to manage significant events effectively.