A Rowallene Councillor and Former Nurse Steps In To Fight Covid-19.
Kathryn Owen, a DUP Rowallene Councillor who took over from Cllr Harry Harvey when acted as councillor in Newry Mourne and Down District Council, is going back to nursing to help the fight against the coronavirus epidemic.
Speaking after she was given the go-ahead, Kathryn said: “Today I’ve been given the all-clear to return to full-time nursing. There was a bit of red tape dragging things out, but we got there in the end! I will be starting my first shift at the start of next week.
“This is not a decision I have taken lightly although it was not a decision that I hesitated to make. I have always had a sense of duty to the country and the people within it. I could never stand idly by and watch people suffer, knowing I had the skills to help in some modest way. My loyalty is to my patients but also to my nursing colleagues in blue.
“However do be mindful, I’m a much-loved wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, niece and cousin. The decision that I have taken has been exceptionally hard on them (non-more-so than my husband) and we must always realise behind every frontline health care worker there is a small army of worried relatives and friends behind them hoping and praying for our safety.
“From this point onwards, I am ceasing control of my Facebook page and am handing it over to a DUP colleague who will keep news coming out to you.”
“If you have any constituency issues, please contact either Cllr William Walker or 0788682828572or Jim Shannon‘s office on 02891827990. I want to spend the last weekend with my family before I have to isolate from them.”
Kathtryn added: “I do not know what the next few weeks/months will hold for me. My hope is that my eight years in the Royal Air Force prepared me mentally for what lies ahead, but I cannot wait for the day when I can return to be your public servant. Please keep me and all my colleagues in blue (green for NIAS) in your thoughts and prayers.
“Please stay safe, look out for one another and keep social distancing like a pro!! Lots of love to each and every one of you 💞”.
Councillor William Walker commended Kathryn for her dedication to duty and said: “Kathyrn has been a hard working councillor since she took office and I would like to commend her in her public spirit and sense of professional duty in deciding to go back into nursing at this difficult time to help fight the terrible coronavirus epidemic we are currently faced with.
“I wish her all the very best and that she stays safe. We all need to do what we can now to step forward within our communities and help each other and support those on the front line be they doctors, nurses, health care workers, cleaners, and home care workers. They are all now playing a vital role in trying to keep us safe.
“Newry Mourne and Down District Council has set up community health hubs across the district which will play their part in the weeks and possibly months to come.”
