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ONMSD Newsletter
Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director
Message from Ms. Mary Wynne
Inside this Issue
Message from
1
Ms. Mary Wynne
ONMSD Corporate News
Pages 2-3
Nurse Prescribing of Ionising
Radiation (X-Ray) for Adults &
Children
National Clinical Programme
2
2
2
for Palliative Care
Nurse & Midwife Medicinal
Product Prescribing Update
3
National Clinical Programme
3
for Older People (NCPOP)
National Leadership and
4
Innovation Centre for Nursing
& Midwifery (NLIC)
Focus on HSE West
5
Focus on HSE South
6
Focus on HSE Dublin Mid
Leinster
7
Focus on HSE Dublin
North East
8
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the Autumn Edition of the ONMSD Newsletter for 2015.
As you probably know already I have recently taken up the role of Interim
Director ONMSD. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I
started my nursing and midwifery career in the Mater and Rotunda Hospitals.
After that I worked for 15 years in clinical practice in both voluntary and statutory
services and I graduated from UCD as a nurse tutor at the time of transition of
nursing from diploma to graduate level education. I have had the privilege of
working with many of you when I was involved in education, practice
development, and senior nurse management at Assistant Director and Director
level in the acute services. Since 2004 I have worked at regional level in Dublin
Mid Leinster and at Area Level in Dublin North East for the last 5 years.
Throughout my career I have experienced and learned a lot from the professionalism and commitment of nurses and midwives to improving care.
It is my aim to support and enhance nursing and midwifery’s leadership and
contribution to healthcare at every level and for all disciplines to make the
patients’ experience one of care, compassion trust in our services. It gives me great
pleasure to introduce the ONMSD newsletter where the dedication and expertise
of nurses and midwives throughout the country is very evident.
I am really looking forward to hearing from you about your current achievements
and challenges and having a dialogue about how we can best move forward.
PLEASE FORWARD ANY
COMMENTS OR QUERIES
TO:
Office of the Nursing
and Midwifery Services
Ms. Mary Wynne
Interim Nursing & Midwifery Services Director
Assistant National Director, Clinical Strategy & Programmes Division HSE
Director (ONMSD)
Phone: 01-6352471
Email: mary.wynne1@hse.ie
Website: www.hse.ie/go/onmsd
Room 250
Dr. Steevens Hospital
Dublin 8
Phone: 01-6352471
Fax: 01-6352509
Email:
nursing.services@hse.ie
ONMSD Website
www.hse.ie/go/onmsd
HSE South
Area Director
Ms. Catherine Killilea
021-4921207
Email:
catherine.killilea@hse.ie
HSE Dublin
Mid Leinster (DML)
Area Director
Ms. Liz Roche
01-6201732
Email:
liz.roche@hse.ie
HSE Dublin
North East (DNE)
Interim Area Director
Ms. Eithne Cusack
01-8908765
Email:
eithne.cusack@hse.ie
HSE West
Area Director
Mr. Patrick Glackin
071-9822107
Email:
patrick.glackin@hse.ie
Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director-ONMSD–Volume 6, Issue 3 October 2015
PAGE 2
Corporate ONMSD News
Nurse Prescribing of Ionising Radiation (X-Ray) for Adults & Children
The inaugural group of registered nurses from seven
different hospital sites have completed the Nurse
Authority to Prescribe Ionising Radiation (X-Ray)
programme. For the first time, this included independent
prescribing of ionising radiation (X-Ray) for children.
The programme is accredited with Quality &
Qualifications Ireland (QQI) as a Special Purpose Award
at Level 8 with 20 ECTS/ACCS Credits. It has Nursing
and Midwifery Board of Ireland Special Purpose Award
approval.
Since its inception in 2009, the national education
programme for nurse prescribing of ionising radiation
(X-Ray), nurses could only prescribe ionising radiation
(X-Ray) for adults. The need for the inclusion of
independent prescribing of ionising radiation (X-Ray) for
children was identified by the HSE National Advisory
Group. The findings from the national evaluation report
(Drennan et al 2014), demonstrated the benefits of nurse
prescribing of ionising radiation (X-Ray) in the adult
services.
This new combined adult and childrens’ nurse authority to
prescribe ionising radiation (X-Ray) was developed with
the support of the Faculty of Radiologists, Irish Institute of
Radiography and Radiation Therapy (IRRT), Irish
Association of Physical Scientists in Medicine (IAPM),
Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Radiography Services
Managers (RSM) and the Office of the Nursing and
Midwifery Services Director. Programme delivery was
facilitated by various expert members from the above
associations in addition to two paediatric consultants and a
senior physiotherapist.
Attendees pictured at the inaugural programme
Front Row (L-R) Beatrice Ann Kennedy, Kenneth Reamsbottom,
Catherine Hanlon, Adrian Higgins
Second Row (L- R): Karen Brennan ANP Lecturer, Gerardo Medina,
Orla Callender, Yvonne O’Connor, Emma Mulligan, Elizabeth Reilly,
RCNME, Connolly Hospital & Programme Coordinator,
Third Row (L-R): Ciara Gleeson, Senior Physiotherapist & Lecturer,
Maura Kelleher, Mairead Crowley,
Back Row (L R) Martina Treacy, George Jefferies, Derek Brown, ANP
& Lecturer.
For further information contact: Ms. Elizabeth Reilly,
Nurse Tutor, RCNME, Connolly Hospital, Dublin 15
Email: elizabeth.reilly@hse.ie Tel: 01-6465425
National Clinical Programme for Palliative Care
The following is an overview of three work strands of the
National Clinical Programme for Palliative Care.
Workforce Planning
The National Clinical Programme for Palliative Care is
undertaking an extensive workforce planning exercise
engaging with all disciplines providing specialist palliative
care. This exercise will influence the future planning and
development of the Palliative Care service in acute,
community and hospice settings. A national working
group, comprised of senior nurse managers, will be
convened shortly, to explore the nursing contribution to
specialist palliative care services.
successfully completed a blended learning module. The
focus of the module is on developing person-centred
cultures and approaches to the assessment of palliative
care needs by all health and social care staff providing
Levels 1 and 2 palliative care. Two elearning lessons were
provided as part of the module available to all on
HSELanD: www.hseland.ie .
A one day module is currently under development for
health and social care assistants to support their role in
palliative care needs assessment.
Towards Excellence in Palliative Care, Quality
Assessment and Improvement Workbook
A set of workbooks entitled ‘Towards Excellence in Palliative
Care, Quality Assessment and Improvement’ have been
developed by the programme with the purpose of
assisting specialist palliative care services in preparing for
licensing and engaging in continuous quality
improvement. The workbooks, based on the National
Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, (HIQA, 2012) are
available on the programme website under ‘Resources.’
Palliative Care Needs Assessment Guidance (HSE,
2014)
To support the implementation of this guidance
document, seventy-four programme facilitators have
For further information contact:
Ms. Lorna Peelo-Kilroe, Programme Nursing Lead
Email: Lorna.peelo@hse.ie Tel: 087-6601791
Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director-ONMSD –Volume 6, Issue 3
October 2015
PAGE 3
Corporate ONMSD News
Nurse and Midwife Medicinal Product Prescribing Update
Implementation Update
To date 1192 nurses and midwives have been funded by
the ONMSD to undertake the education programmes
currently provided by the Royal College of Surgeons in
Ireland, Waterford Institute of Technology (in association
with RCSI), University College Cork, University College
Dublin, National University of Ireland Galway, University
of Dublin, Trinity College and University of Limerick. A
total of 177 health service providers (49 acute and 128
primary and continuing care) are supporting the
introduction of medicinal product prescribing. The
candidates and Registered Nurse Prescribers are from 106
different clinical areas. We would like to congratulate all
new Registered Nurse Prescribers, and wish them
continued success in their prescribing practice.
The next education programmes will commence in January
2016. Information on closing/start dates will be
circulated by email and via the eNetworks in the coming
weeks.
Nurse and Midwife Medicinal Product Prescribing
Review
Since 2011, the number of applicants undertaking the
education programme has been decreasing, as evidenced in
the ‘National Implementation Report on the Nurse and Midwife
Medicinal Product Prescribing Initiative’ (June 2014). Numerous
factors have contributed to this decline including:
1. The public service moratorium on recruitment.
2. Regulatory requirements related to the Collaborative
Practice Agreement arrangements, including:
 requirement for annual and biannual review
 access to Drugs and Therapeutics committees.
3. Requirements for inputting prescriptions to Nurse and
Midwife Prescribing Data Collection System (HSE).
As a consequence of these factors, a collaborative
approach has been established between the Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and the ONMSD to
review the regulatory and implementation systems and
processes.
Aim of Review
The aim of the review is to examine the existing regulatory
and implementation systems and processes in place to
support nurse and midwife medicinal product prescribing.
An advisory group and collaborative working group
consisting of relevant key stakeholders has been
established to support and inform the review process.
Timeframe
The Review commenced in March 2015. It is anticipated
that the final report with recommendations will be
completed by late 2015.
Change in Personnel within the Medicinal Product
Prescribing Team
The team would like to take this opportunity to thank Ina
Crowley for her support and contribution to the
prescribing initiative. We wish her well in her new
post. We would also like to welcome Maureen Nolan to
the team as she replaces Ina in Dublin Mid-Leinster. We
look forward to working with Maureen over the coming
months.
For further information contact:
Ms. Clare McGabhann, National Lead, DoNM
Medicinal Product Prescribing South
Email: clare.macgabhann@hse.ie
Tel: 021-4921210/0879317025
Ms. Maureen Nolan, DoN, National Lead Ionising
Radiation and Medicinal Product Prescribing DML
Email: maureend.nolan@hse.ie Tel: 086-6012195
Ms. Rose Lorenz, ADoNM, Prescribing DNE
Email: rose.lorenz@hse.ie
Tel: 041-6850658/087-2864075
Ms. Annette Cuddy, ADoNM, Prescribing West
Email: Annette.cuddy@hse.ie Tel: 087-9317039
National Clinical Programme for Older People (NCPOP)
The NCPOP is launching its guidance document
‘Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment’ (CGA) in the coming
weeks. The aim of this document is to act as a practical
resource to assist with the comprehensive assessment of
complexly ill/at risk older adults. The document
is primarily intended for use by medical, nursing and
health and social care professionals working across many
settings, but should also prove useful for education
providers. The information in this guide is evidence based
and informed by multidisciplinary expert opinion.
CGA is a “multi-dimensional, interdisciplinary diagnostic
process to determine the medical, psychological and
functional capabilities of a frail older person in order to
develop a co-ordinated and integrated plan for treatment
and long-term follow-up” (Rubenstein, L.Z. et al 1991).
It emphasises improving the quality of life and functional
status of the older adult and at the same time, improves
prognosis and outcome for this group of older people. It
results in better outcomes for hospital patients (Ellis et al
2011).
The NCPOP recommends that complexly ill/at risk older
adults should have a timely CGA performed and
documented in their permanent health record.
Pathways of care for this cohort of patients should be
agreed in conjunction with the Specialist Geriatric
Services.
For further information contact:
Ms. Carmel Hoey, Nursing & Midwifery Development
Officer, HSE West
Email: carmel.hoey@hse.ie Tel: 087-7903569
Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director-ONMSD –Volume 6, Issue 3
October 2015
PAGE 4
National Leadership & Innovation Centre for Nursing & Midwifery
Future Nurse Leaders (FNL) and Safe Surgery Collaborative
In June 2015, sixteen Peri-operative CNM2s and their
multidisciplinary colleagues, celebrated the completion of
the FNL and Safe Surgery Collaborative. This was the
final initiative, in a series of three, commissioned by the
Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery, University of
Limerick Hospital Group (ULH) facilitated by the
National Leadership and Innovation Centre for Nursing
and Midwifery (NLIC), Royal College of Physicians in
Ireland (RCPI), and supported by HSE West/MidWest
Centre of Nursing and Midwifery Education (CNME).
The primary aim of this bi-directional initiative is to
enable CNM2s to become familiar with the principles of
effective leadership and quality improvement
methodologies. The benefit derived from the initiative was
evident from the outcomes presented on the day. Key
leadership and quality improvement outcomes
demonstrated included:
 Empowerment regarding the role and responsibility of
the CNM2
 Collaborative engagement and integration within and
across all the Surgical Directorate
 Production of a training DVD ‘Safe Surgical Check List’
for use across ULH’s operating theatres and the wider
services.
 Implementation of the ISBAR (Identify-Situation-Background
-Assessment-Recommendation) technique as a handover
communication tool between recovery staff and ward
staff.
Increase in efficiencies for endoscopy patients.
Standardisation of processes for theatre listings.
 Data and process analysis aimed at improving patient flow
and theatre usage.
The Directorate team are currently in the process of
finalising a framework for expansion of the new
improvements to ensure sustainability.


(L-R) Mary O’Grady, CNM2, ULH Croom,, Katie Tierney, Clinical
Educator, ULH Marie O’Donnell, CNM2, St. John’s Hospital, Ellen
Downes, CNM2, ULH, Ennis, Noreen Kelly Ryan, CNM2, ULH Nenagh
For further information contact:
Ms. Kay Chawke, Peri-Op. Directorate Nurse Manager
Email: kay.chawke@hse.ie Tel: 061-301111
Ms. Teresa Moore, NLIC Project Lead
Email: teresam.moore@hse.ie Tel: 087-9830592
Clinical Leadership Competency ePortfolio (CLCeP)
The CLCeP is an excellent elearning resource that
supports staff nurses, staff midwives, Clinical Nurse and
Midwife Managers 1 & 2s to identify and develop their
clinical leadership competencies. Learning and
development is a lifelong pursuit and portfolios of
evidence are becoming increasingly utilised to demonstrate
Continuous Professional Development. The CLCeP is an
ideal mechanism to help you record your learning and is
available on www.hseland.ie
Benefits of the CLCeP:
 Flexible, practical, individualised mode of learning
 Facilitates performance development
 Offers a portfolio of evidence for CPD
 Supports compliance to the NMBI Professional Code
of Conduct And Ethics
 Supports career development.
Current Status: The CLCeP was officially launched by
Ms. Mary Brosnan, Honorary President Irish Association
Directors of Nursing and Midwifery (IADNAM) at the
recent National Nursing and Midwifery Leadership and
Innovation Summit in Dublin Castle. It is now being
implemented nationally and information sessions will be
delivered on a regional basis in the near future.
For further information contact:
Ms. Marie Kilduff, Leadership and Innovation Advisor
Email: marie.kilduff@hse.ie Tel: 087-6568104
Left : Official Launch of the CLCeP, 12th May 2015, National
Nursing and Midwifery Leadership and Innovation Summit, Dublin
Castle
(L-R): Ms. Marie Kilduff, Leadership & Innovation Advisor & National
Project Lead CLCeP, Ms. Mary Brosnan, Honorary President IADNAM,
Ms. Annette Connolly, Leadership & Innovation Advisor; Mr. Tony
O’Brien, Director General HSE, Ms. Teresa Moore, Leadership &
Innovation Advisor, Mr. Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health, Dr. Michael
Shannon, Director of Nursing & Midwifery Services & Asst. National
Director, Clinical Strategy & Programmes Division, Mr. Pat Kenny, National eLearning Manager, Ms. Deirdre Lang, Director of Nursing,
NCPOP;
Ms Mary B Rice, Leadership & Innovation Advisor;
Ms Lorraine Murphy, Leadership and Innovation Advisor.
Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director-ONMSD –Volume 6, Issue 3
October 2015
PAGE 5
Focus on HSE West
HSE Donegal Promotes Awareness of Elder Abuse and Ethics in
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
To mark World Elder Abuse day on the 15th June 2015,
the Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education
(CNME) Donegal, in partnership with the Adult Social
Work Service, held their annual information/awareness
workshop. This workshop highlighted the issue of elder
abuse and safeguarding the vulnerable person. Eighty
participants from different disciplines and agencies across
health and social services involved in the protection of
vulnerable adults attended the event. The agenda for the
day reflected HSE Policy ‘Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at
Risk of Abuse’ (HSE, 2014). The overall theme focused on
the ethical dilemmas facing professionals who are working
with, and safeguarding vulnerable persons, as part of their
professional and moral responsibility.
The importance of collaborative working was emphasised
throughout the day and was reflected in the
multi-professional approach. Presentations from
Nursing, Social Work, General Management and the
Garda Síochána all reiterated the importance of
supporting vulnerable persons and the implementation of
the aforementioned HSE policy 2014. Feedback from the
day was extremely positive.
For further information contact:
Ms Catherine Cannon, Director, CNME Donegal
Email: Catherine.Cannon@hse.ie. Tel: 074-9188851
Mr Seamus McGarvey, Safeguarding Team Leader
Donegal
Email: Seamus.McGarvey@hse.ie Tel: 087-9531695
Pictured on the Left:
Attendees at the Annual Information Awareness Workshop
Front Row (L-R): Anne Gallen Director NMPD HSE West, Catherine
Cannon Director CNME Donegal, Connie McGilloway CNS Sexual
Assault Forensic Examiner Donegal SATU, Denise Curran A/ General
Manager Donegal PCCC
Back Row ( L- R): Seamus McGarvey Team Leader Safeguarding Team,
Garda Superintendent David Kelly Milford, Sean Dunne A/ Principal
Social Worker, Adult Social Work Service, Donegal, Gordon Barrett
Retired Social Worker Sligo
Community Oncology Nursing Programme
Background
The Community Oncology Nursing Programme was
designed by the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery
Services Director (ONMSD) in collaboration with the
National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP). The
programme was submitted for approval to the Nursing
and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) as a QQI Minor
Award Level 9 Continuing Education programme. It is
accredited by National University of Ireland, Galway as a
QQI Minor Award Level 9 with 10 ECTS Credits.
Objective of Programme Development
The objective was to develop an education and training
programme that would provide community nurses with
evidence based knowledge and skills that would enable
them to safely care for patients in the community within
an expanded scope of practice.
Programme Outline
The programme consists of seven units of learning, each
unit with designated learning outcomes and indicative
content.
Programme Delivery at CNME Galway
In January 2015, 21 community nurses from Clare,
Galway, Limerick, Mayo and Tipperary commenced the
programme. All participants successfully completed the
academic and clinical components of the programme
over a six month period. The theoretical content was
delivered by nursing and medical oncology specialists at
Galway University Hospital. Clinical placements were
provided at Galway University Hospital, Limerick
University Hospital, Mayo General Hospital and
Portiuncula Hospital.
A further programme is scheduled to commence in early
2016.
For further information contact:
Ms Margaret Burke, Director, CNME Galway
Email: Margaret.burke@hse.ie
Tel: 087-1332778
Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director-ONMSD –Volume 6 Issue 3
October 2015
PAGE 6
Focus on HSE South
Quality and Governance Project for Public Heath Nursing HSE South East
In 2014, the Regional Directors of Public Health
Nursing (DPHN) group for Carlow/Kilkenny, South
Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford reviewed the
workload involved in updating and developing policies
relevant to Public Health Nursing Services. A Quality
and Governance Steering Group was established with
the aim of standardising all policies in order to avoid
duplication of work across the four community care
areas. Work was undertaken to develop policies to
support the standardisation of clinical practice,
development of best practice, compliance and
maintenance of care standards. The objective was to
minimise resource implications and maximise outcomes
for patients. A successful application was made to the
NMPDU South East for innovation funding. This
funding facilitated the
engagement of a Change
Management Consultant to assist the team with the
project.
Over a 16 month period the Steering Group achieved
the following outcomes:
 Review of all existing relevant Public Health Nursing
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and
Management Operating Procedures (MOPs) in the
region.
 Consultation with peers, experts and other disciplines
regarding the update of all policies.
 Development of 40 SOPs and 20 MOPs with
modified audit tools for each.
A sustainability plan was devised which included the
development of a user-friendly IT Portal to allow IT
access to all policies and forms. Regional IT funding has
been secured to ensure provision of the HSE systems to
all non-networked health centres. The Portal will be
officially launched in November 2015.
The Regional DPHN group
(L–R): Mary B Finn Gilbride (Wexford), Jean O’Keeffe (Waterford),
Barbara McMahon (Carlow/Kilkenny) and Esther Butler (South
Tipperary)
For further information contact:
Ms. Mary B. Finn-Gilbride, DPHN,
Wexford Community Care Services
Email: maryb.finn-gilbride@hse.ie
Tel: 053-9123522 ex. 357
Information on Preparing for Birth and Parenthood
Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) launched
a new guide for expectant parents attending preparation
for birth and parenthood education classes on 30 th June
2015. This new pregnant-friendly guide includes all the
information given to women and their partners while
attending classes during a two week period prior to
giving birth at the hospital. The guide includes
information on pregnancy, labour, birth and
parenthood as well as referencing numerous reliable
sources of online information. CUMH offers an
extensive birth and parenthood education programme
for pregnant women and their partners.
Tailored classes are available to first-time parents, teenagers
and young adults, parents expecting multiple births and
parents with specific needs. According to the editor - Cathy
O’Sullivan, Midwife Teacher, CME - research indicates that
women attending ante-natal classes want to take home
written information and it is hoped that those using the
guide will find it a helpful addition to the education
programme provided. Expectant mothers and their partners
reviewed draft copies of the booklet prior to its publication.
The publication of this guide was supported by the
NMPDU (Cork/Kerry).
“Our vision is to empower parents
to develop the skills to negotiate all
aspects of their journey through
pregnancy, labour, birth and early
parenthood.” (Information on
Preparing for Birth and Parenthood’,
HSE, 2015)
Pictured at the launch of Cork University Maternity Hospital’s
new guide on preparing for birth and parenthood
(L-R) Mum to be Noelle Hogan; Ms Olive Long, A/Director of
Midwifery CUMH; Ms Margaret Murphy, Lecturer School of Nursing
and Midwifery, UCC; Ms. Cathy O’Sullivan, Midwife Teacher, CME,
CUMH and mum to be Ms Ciara Murphy.
Link to ‘Information on Preparing for Birth & Parenthood’
http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/Children/
prepbirth.pdf
For further information contact:
Ms. Cathy O’Sullivan, Midwife Teacher, CME, CUMH
Email: cathy.osullivan@hse.ie
Tel: 021-4920736
Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director-ONMSD –Volume 6, Issue 3 October 2015
PAGE 7
Focus on HSE Dublin Mid Leinster
New Patient Safety Initiative ‘Zero Harm – Know Your
Medicines’ launched at Tallaght Hospital
Medication has been the cause of serious adverse
reactions in 4% of patients (Saedder, E. et al 2015).
These can lead to profound and devastating effects on
patients and their carers, in addition to prolonged and
more resource-intensive hospital care. Tallaght
Hospital is tackling this phenomenon by focusing on a
series of initiatives to help improve medication safety.
 The Tallaght Hospital Adult Medicines Guide,
first published in hardback in 1998, available in app
format since October 2013, has now been
upgraded. The re-launched app enhances the
existing app already being used in the hospital as an
in-house, evidence-based source of medicines
information and prescribing protocols.
 Most drug related harm occurs within a limited
group of medications and drug classes i.e.
anticoagulants, opioids, antimicrobials, insulin and
diuretics. These medications, along with general
information on understanding and avoiding
medication error, were the focus of an elearning
programme ‘Drug Safety-High Risk
Medications’. The e-learning programme is
promoted to all healthcare professionals in the
hospital who prescribe, administer, dispense or
monitor medication therapy.
 The Zero Harm initiative also includes working
with patients, families and parents through the
introduction of a ‘My Medicines’ leaflet in which
they can document a list of their current medicines,
to help staff treat patients safely while in the
hospital. This acts as a prompt to patients and their
carers to bring their medicines list to
appointments or when being admitted and to
appreciate the importance of knowing their
medicines and working with hospital staff to
improve safety.
Nursing staff have played a key role in
championing and promoting these initiatives.
At the launch, Tallaght Hospital’s Head of
Pharmacy, Tim Delaney stated “Almost all patients
use medication during their hospital stay and so it is vital
that we equip prescribers with access to up-to-date expert
information on medications in real time, when they are
making decisions. Furthermore, 70% of preventable death
or serious adverse reactions are due to nine drugs or classes,
so constant education on these high risk medications is
important. ‘Zero Harm–Know Your Medicines’ follows best
international practice to utilise technology and patient
engagement to reduce instances of medicine-related harm.”
This initiative is one of a series of Zero Harm
Initiatives in Tallaght Hospital, the first one
being ‘Clean Hands Save Lives’. The next Zero
Harm Initiative for 2015 will be the
‘Prescribing of Oxygen Therapy’, followed by the use
of ‘Invasive Device Care Bundles’.
A copy of the Patient Safety Information Leaflet
can be accessed on the following link
http://www.tallaghthospital.ie/Patients-Visitors/
Know-your-Medicines/
(L-R): Rebecca O’Shea, Louise O’Regan and Finola Power, Clinical Placement Co-ordinators, Nurse Practice Development Department
Adult Services Tallaght Hospital.
For further information contact:
Ms. Áine Lynch, Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator, Adult Nursing Services, Tallaght Hospital
Email: aine.lynch@amnch.ie Tel: 01-4142006/pager 7270
Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director-ONMSD –Volume 6, Issue 3 October 2015
PAGE 8
Focus on HSE Dublin North East
‘Our Home, Our Say!’ Report Launch
On Thursday, 23rd July 2015, Mr. Tony O'Brien,
Director General, HSE launched the report 'Our Home,
Our Say!' in the Nuremore Hotel, Carrickmacross, Co.
Monaghan. The report presents the findings of an
evaluation of the residents’ level of understanding of the
underlying principles of the National Standards for
Residential Services for Children and Adults with
Disabilities (2013). This study, based on semi structured
interviews, conducted with forty-six residents in HSE
North East Services, provides a valuable insight into the
residents’ views of service provision in their homes.
Commissioned by the Nursing and Midwifery Planning
and Development Unit North East and North East
Disability Services, the study was conducted by Dundalk
Institute of Technology (DKIT). Residents, staff and
service managers from HSE North East Disability
Services were amongst the attendees at the launch.
Presented by Mr. Joe Treacy, Programme Director,
Intellectual Disability Nursing, DKIT and HSE NE
Disability Services resident Mr. Bernard Reilly, the report
findings show that research participants are familiar with
the principles of the Standards and are happy with the
services being provided. There are clear indications that
staff promote independence and autonomy in most
aspects of the individuals lives, through the use of
Person Centred Plans.
The findings also indicate three potential areas for future
development including; the further expansion of social
networks; an increased focus on independent living and
the ongoing development of the supporting services
addressing these issues.
Mr. Tony O’Brien , Director General HSE with residents and staff
from HSE Residential Disability Services Dublin North East area
For further information contact:
Ms. Vanessa Clarke, Project Officer, North East
Email: vanessa.clarke@hse.ie
Tel: 087-6320034
Establishing a Culture of Research in Clinical Nursing Practice: REACH
REACH (Research Excellence Across Clinical Healthcare) is
a nursing and midwifery research capacity development
programme developed in the North Dublin HSE area.
It is a project which supports nurses and midwives in
clinical settings to develop service led clinical research
and creates a culture of research within the workplace.
Following the implementation of this project seven
nurses and midwives have successfully published service
-led research initiative within the first year.
Two of the teams supported by REACH are Clinical
Nurse Specialists in Intellectual Disability Services in
Dublin North. The team members are drawn from the
Daughters of Charity, Navan Road and a variety of
Intellectual Disability Services in Dublin North and
South. These teams aim to conduct research in the area
of nursing with autism spectrum disorder.
REACH is also supporting nurses and midwives in
clinical settings to develop eHealth solutions and a
nursing terminology system proposal relating to
activities of daily living, therapeutic self-care and the
summary care record. The proposal will now be
incorporated into eHealth Ireland, the HSE’s agenda in
implementing the electronic healthcare record nationally.
Another nursing service initiative ‘A Community Virtual
Ward Model to Support Frail Elderly in the Community
who have complex medical and social care needs’ is also
being developed as part of the REACH initiative.
REACH was presented during the 34th RCSI Faculty of
Nursing and Midwifery Annual Research Conference
2015, where seven REACH participants from local
services presented posters. The REACH programme was
also presented at the 3rd International APN & ANP
Congress 2015 in Munich, Germany and has been
nominated for an innovation award.
REACH is continuing to develop nursing service-led
research programmes of excellence and a culture of
evidence based care across clinical healthcare settings in
Dublin North.
Research Excellence Across Clinical Healthcare
Dublin North
For further information contact:
Ms. Eithne Cusack, Interim Area Director, NMPDU,
DNE
Email: Eithne.cusack@hse.ie
Tel: 01-8131810
Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director-ONMSD –Volume 6 Issue 3 October 2015