A nurse who trained her own sibling at the start of her career is retiring from the South Eastern Trust after five decades — after the two sisters-turned-Sisters worked together for a second time.
Liz Magee’s half century in nursing included over 30 years in intensive care.
She began in 1976 as a Ward Orderly in Montgomery House before moving to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Her expertise led her to head the outreach team, where she played a key role in easing the transition for patients moving from ICU to the ward.
Later, Liz worked to ensure patients enjoyed the highest standards of care and patient safety before retiring.
After retiring from the Ulster Hospital, Liz had ventured into nurse banking, where her experience and compassionate care were invaluable, particularly during the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
Lately, Liz worked as a Bank Nurse in the Treatment Room at Bangor Health Centre — where her sister, Eleanor Brown, is a Sister.
Eleanor began her nursing journey as a student nurse in ICU while Liz was a Sister there and they have shared a unique bond through their professional paths ever since.
Looking forward to her retirement, Liz said: “After I retired from the Ulster Hospital, my sister Eleanor asked me to come and do some shifts in the Treatment Room. After some persuasion, I gave in and learned some new skills.
“When Eleanor was a student many years ago, I was Sister in ICU and she spent a period of her training there. Now the tables have turned and she is the Sister here in the Treatment Room, she is now the boss.”
Eleanor said: “My sister Liz has been an inspiration.”