A Message From Sheila McClelland, Chief Executive Officer, NMBI
 

 

While there is still much to achieve in the second half of this year, I am happy that we are making good progress and in that context I wanted to provide you with some updates. I also wanted to thank everyone who participated in our consultations on the Rules and the naming of our new online registration system.

 


 

While there is still much to achieve in the second half of this year, I am happy that we are making good progress and in that context I wanted to provide you with some updates. I also wanted to thank everyone who participated in our consultations on the Rules and the naming of our new online registration system.

The Register of Nurses and Midwives

The Register of Nurses and Midwives is at an all-time high, increasing by 1,982 since mid-March bringing the total number to 78,869. This increase is made up of 1,110 nurses returning to the Register and 872 new registrations. During this period 430 individuals also voluntarily removed themselves from the Register.

The increase in numbers of registered nurses and midwives has been largely facilitated by those returning to the Register under the government’s Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (COVID-19) Act 2020. The relevant provisions from this Act that underpinned fee-waivered restorations are due to expire on Friday 31 July 2020.

The Register of Nurses and Midwives is a permanent Register, renewable each calendar year. Recent registrants will, like all other registrants, maintain registration until the end of the year and will also have the option to renew for 2021.

Our New Online Registration System

To support the ongoing development of our service for registrants we continue to work on our new online registration system, readying it for launch at the end of September. Training on the new system for Higher Education Institutes involved in the verification of applicants is scheduled for the end of August and early September. We are currently also completing user guides for students, applicants and registrants which will be available also in September, enabling everyone to familiarize themselves with the new system before they need to use it. It is anticipated that all renewals for 2021 will be done through the new system.

Consultations

We had two consultations last month. Thank you to all who participated.

We consulted on proposed amendments to a number of the Nurses and Midwives Rules in June and 395 responses were recorded. We also consulted on the name for our new online registration system. 251 people responded with over 50% expressing a preference for MyNMBI. We were delighted to receive so much feedback and hope that this will increase over time.

Business as Usual

As many of you will be aware our offices, though closed to the public, have continued to operate over the last number of months. We did however pause our fitness to practise inquiries. This month in line with government guidelines we recommenced inquires.

Opportunity to Join our Board

We opened nominations for three registrant positions on our Board today. Please do review the criteria below and consider applying if you feel you could represent your division on our Board, adding value to the next phase of our development.

As always should you have feedback on your interactions with us please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Hoping that you get to benefit from some downtime before the end of the summer,

 

Sheila McClelland

Chief Executive Officer, NMBI

NMBI Board Elections - Opportunity for Three Registrants to Join our Board
 

 

We started accepting nominations for three positions on our Board today. You can nominate yourself or a colleague if you feel you or they fit the criteria. We are looking for registrants in the following categories:

  1. A registered general nurse engaged in clinical practice.
  2. A registered children’s nurse.
  3. A registered nurse or a registered midwife employed in the public health sector and engaged in the education of nurses or midwives.

 

We started accepting nominations for three positions on our Board today. You can nominate yourself or a colleague if you feel you or they fit the criteria. We are looking for registrants in the following categories:

  1. A registered general nurse engaged in clinical practice.
  2. A registered children’s nurse.
  3. A registered nurse or a registered midwife employed in the public health sector and engaged in the education of nurses or midwives.

 

The closing date and time for receipt of nominations by the Returning Officer in the offices of the NMBI is Monday, 10 August 2020 between 10.00am and 1.00pm.

If a poll is taken, election and e-Voting information will be issued on or before Friday, 4 September 2020 to every nurse and midwife registered with NMBI by Tuesday, 11 August at 1pm.  The electronic ballot will commence on Tuesday, 15 September 2020 at 9am. The ballot will close on Wednesday, 23 September 2020 at noon.

 

More information is available on our website.

June Consultations – Positive Increase in Engagement
 

 

In June we consulted on proposed amendments to a number of the Nurses and Midwives Rules. 395 responses were received from individuals and organisations. The results of the consultation were considered by the NMBI Board earlier this month. Following Ministerial review we will share updates with you in our next ezine.

 


 

In June we consulted on proposed amendments to a number of the Nurses and Midwives Rules. 395 responses were received from individuals and organisations. The results of the consultation were considered by the NMBI Board earlier this month. Following Ministerial review we will share updates with you in our next ezine.

Thank you also to all who gave their opinion on the name for our new registration system which is due to launch at the end of September this year. We had 251 responses with MyNMBI emerging as the clear favourite. Positively this choice supports a strong registrant connection with the system.

MyNMBI will provide many user benefits - you will renew online, store key documents in your account, review the register in real-time - and enable us as your regulator to meet OECD and EU reporting requirements. It will also enable us to identify gaps in the number of nurses and midwives in the system or the skills needed locally to ensure patient safety.

19 June 2020 – consultation on name of new registration system – summary of results:

 

 

July Spotlight – Lynn O'Byrne, Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing, Dublin West

 

Lynn O'Bryre, Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing, Dublin West

 

All for the call

By

Lynn O’Byrne


 

 

 

Lynn O'Bryre, Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing, Dublin West

 

 

This month Lynn O‘Byrne tells the story we all know too well and takes the opportunity to pay tribute to her colleagues who have taken on all the challenges that have come their way in recent months. Thank you Lynn for sharing this poem which will undoubtedly strike a chord with many.

 

If you have a story that you would like to share to celebrate the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife please send it along with pictures to communications@nmbi.ie.

 

All for the call

By

Lynn O’Byrne

 

‘Twas January, maybe February when word broke,

Corona virus posed threat, was no joke.

We listened and watched for reports as it spread.

To Europe it came with pace and dread.

 

Our shores?  Surely not, please God not here.

For this was all new, a lot was unclear.

29th of February, confirmed case, our worst fear.

 

Travel they did, it continued with frowns.

Sound of hooves on the ground, smell of a pound.

While at home our Health Service prepared for the worst, hoped for the best,

Planned well, none the less.

 

Colleagues, without, absent two or three,

Put the head down, shoulder to wheel.

Orders they took and rolled up their sleeves, set up Hubs, Test Centres and penned

rotas for teams.

Health Centres were closed some service suspended,

Staff advised, re-deployed, decanted, leave ended.

 

They trained and they worked and led by example.

Supported staff to up skill, and tap into potential.

They worked Monday to Sunday, morning to night, to aid staff and country to fight.

Weekends they did work, which was new, not contracted, without question ‘twas done,

Overtime never counted.

No worries had they, for their safety, just others.

Perhaps children at home, their fathers or mothers.

 

Multitasking new challenges, a phone call of crisis, outside their service, nothing

neglected.

Flat tyre, childcare.... all was a challenge but worked through and dealt with, a smile,

no front tears,

Car parks they did stand, in the cold and the rain, guiding others to be present,

settle and plan.

Test centres, logistics, one way systems and com’s, new practices, procedures,

unprecedented demands.

 

Then Hubs they did go, HI HO... HI HO...

Don and Doff, service did flow.

Hard work, motivation and duty played part; the abilities displayed were a work of art.

 

However, without staff, competent and willing,

They would not have managed such a tough situation,

without whom there would be no test centre, HUB station.

The Public Health Nursing service with others stood tall,

Responded to Irelands cry and call, help was needed, prevent her fall.

Such experience and knowledge they have given and gained, thanks to their

enthusiasm to listen, answer and train.

Proud I am to work with this bunch, of PHNs RGNs and all assistants of such.

 

We are lucky as Nurses, privileged in fact, life events we share be them happy or sad.

Some say vocation but more say profession, these ladies and lads not a calling just 

answered,

but a conscious decision was made and enacted.

With pride they did stand in these challenging times, shoulder to shoulder, all

disciplines equal, woman to man.

 

But as for the few that inspired these words, and represent the many I am proud to

call colleagues.

I hope recognition’s received for commitment, not wanted, I know, but perhaps warranted.

 

This crisis has taught us what’s important in life, has shown us on whom we depend,

in trouble and strife.

History we have lived through and future now changed; we hope improvements pertain

to a few situations.

Thank you, Thank you, Thanks to you and all,

Nurses, angels on Earth, we are called.