THURSDAY, 19 MARCH, 2015

PHOTO ATTACHED: L-R BACK ROW HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT SUPPORT OFFICER JODI MOODIE, HEARTSTART DISCOVERY COORDINATOR HELEN BRADY, AUDREY’S SISTER NETTA MORRISON, SENIOR STAFF NURSE KAREN CRAIG, CHARGE NURSE DEBBIE SCOTT AND SENIOR HEALTH PROMOTION OFFICER MARGARET WINTON

FRONT ROW: AUDREY MACKENZIE

Smoking cessation coordinator retires after 36 years with NHS Tayside

Smoking cessation coordinator Audrey Mackenzie has retired from NHS Tayside after 36 years.

Audrey began her career in 1979 as an auxiliary nurse within the maternity unit at Ninewells Hospital before she completed her enrolled nurse training. She then took on a role within the cardiology department and also worked in intensive care nursing during her career.

The dedicated nurse went on to achieve her Bachelor of Nursing qualification in 2007 before taking on a post in the surgical admissions ward and then the surgical high dependency unit until 2009.

Audrey’s passion for smoking cessation began when she stopped smoking 20 years ago and was eager to help smokers within her care to quit cigarettes and improve their health.

After working tirelessly to improve patient care for smokers admitted into a hospital setting, Audrey joined the public health department as a smoking cessation coordinator for NHS Tayside hospitals.

In her post as smoking cessation coordinator, Audrey worked hard to raise awareness and support smokers to stop by helping develop the NHS Tayside Smoke Free Services.

During her career, Audrey has helped hundreds of people across Tayside successfully give up smoking and changed their lives and health for the better.

In her retirement, Audrey plans to spend time with her family and friends and also hopes to put her skills to use by volunteering at Ninewells Hospital to further support patients.

Senior health promotion officer Margaret Winton said, “Audrey will be greatly missed by the patients and the staff in hospitals across NHS Tayside.

“We would like to thank Audrey for her dedication, her hard work and determination throughout her career and wish her a very happy retirement.”

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134