A GOUROCK nurse who battled back from breast cancer and now cares for residents with dementia has won a top award.
Heather McGachy was named Nurse of the Year after she was nominated by residents, their families and fellow members of staff at Kincaid House Care Home.
She has dedicated the last four years to caring round the clock for her 30 residents.
But the mum-of-three had also faced her own fight when she was diagnosed with cancer shortly after starting her nursing studies.
Heather, of Nelson Road, 50, said: “I was delighted to win and there were lots of tears.
“I never expected it at all. It meant such a lot to me to be nominated — especially by the families.”
Nurse of the year Heather worked for many years as a care assistant in Inverclyde Royal wards while raising her oldest two children Kevin, 31, and Claire, 29. 
She added: “It was ideal, as I could work my shifts round family.”
After her son Scott, now 13, was born, Heather decided to take the plunge and train to be a nurse.
She said: “It was something I had always wanted to do and I just thought, ‘go for it’.”
But her university studies were interrupted when she was diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago.
Heather said: “It was a tough time. My family were devastated. I took two years out for treatment and I didn’t think I would go back.”
But brave Heather had a change of heart and was soon back studying.
She added: “It was the right decision, and I am still in remission.”
Heather says she loves working in the care home and feels it gives her a chance to really put her nursing in to practice.
She said: “In the hospital there is a patient in the bed and then when you go to change it, there is a new patient. There is a big turnover.
“In the care home you really get to know the residents, the people you are caring for. It is like they become a member of your family. We are a big family here. That is really important to me.
“I have a great, caring team here.”
Heather was named nurse of the year by nursing home chain Meallmore, at a glitzy ceremony in Perth.
She told the Tele: “Meallmore are great employers. They really care for their staff and that makes it a great place to work.”
It caps a perfect year for Heather, who recently celebrated her 50th birthday with a well deserved holiday to Mexico and other celebrations.
She said: “It was a great way to end my birthday celebrations, to be nominated and then win.”
Kincaid Care Home manager Barbara Lawson said: “Heather is so dedicated to the residents and she provides excellent care.”