Pictured (L to R): Dr Karn Cliffe, NMBI Director of Professional Standards – Midwifery; Carolyn Donohoe, NMBI Interim CEO; Angel Dunne, National Lead Midwife Women and Infants Health Programme HSE; Dr Geraldine Shaw, Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, ONMSD/Interim Adviser to HSE CEO and Sinéad Heaney, Midwifery Adviser, Department of Health

On 14 May, the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD) and the National Women and Infants Health Programme's (NWIHP) hosted its annual national conference in Portlaoise.

The event took place to celebrate International Day of the Midwife (IDM) 2025. This year’s IDM theme was Midwives Critical in Every Crisis.

Our Interim CEO, Carolyn Donohue spoke about the Future of Midwifery Regulation in Ireland while our Director of Professional Standards - Midwifery, Dr Karn Cliffe chaired the morning session.

The event also heard from our Midwifery Student Ambassador and post-graduate student midwife, Aoife Browne who spoke about her journey in midwifery and nursing, her role as a student ambassador, and how the short life of her cousin and the care he received inspired her.

In line with the IDM theme, speakers included Irish midwives working in ‘crisis’ roles both within the country and overseas. Kate Johnson and Emer Shine from the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital presented their work with The Daisy Clinic. The clinic is a specialised midwifery support service for women seeking international protection or experiencing homelessness. Rachel Coyle a midwife with Medicins Sans Frontiers spoke to the participants about her current role in the Middle East.

Pictured above: Carolyn Donohoe (left) with Aoife Browne (top right) and Dr Karn Cliffe (bottom right)