Selfless Cath an ebola heroine

BRAVE volunteer . . . Cath Nixon

FROM helping to fight the spread of Ebola in West Africa to looking after patients closer to home in Oldham, a local nurse has proved herself dedicated to healthcare and earned a pride in Oldham nomination.

Cath Nixon, a health visitor for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, was one of 30 NHS volunteers who rushed to Sierra Leone to work in the Save the Children Ebola treatment centre over Christmas.

The 31 year old spent five weeks alongside GPs, nurses, clinicians, psychiatrists and consultants at the centre.

And it wasn’t the first time the nurse, who works at Werneth Primary Care Centre, had travelled abroad to help improve healthcare in developing countries.

Cath spent two years until 2014, working with women and children in Nepal, helping to set up clinics and influence health practices.

Cath said: “I feel honoured to have been nominated for the award and it’s recognition of the contribution I and other NHS staff had in helping out with the humanitarian crisis in West Africa.

“I was following the news closely and saw the death rates in Sierra Leone rising and rising as ebola spread. I knew what the impact of ebola on a country with poor health systems already in place could be like.

“When I heard that they were recruiting NHS staff, I felt I had the skills to help out. My employers and colleagues were very supportive. They helped me to be able to go out to Sierra Leone to help with the crisis. I couldn’t have done it without their support.”

twitter: @LKenderdineOC


Nominate someone for a Pride in Oldham award


If you would like to nominate someone email your information to editor@oldham-chronicle.co.uk



Tell us:

The name of the nominated person or group

A contact number for them, if you have one. Their job title or place of work, if appropriate

The reason for your nomination

Your own name and a daytime contact number



Closing date: September 30, 2015