The Health Service Executive (HSE) Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD) supports the development of advanced nursing and midwifery practitioner roles throughout the HSE and HSE funded organisations.

Advanced nursing and midwifery practitioner roles are developed as a direct response to population health need and organisational requirements, as identified though local and national planning processes. The identification and confirmation of these specific role developments within HSE service areas is the responsibility of Directors of Nursing and Midwifery across all disciplines of the professions.

For additional information visit the advanced and specialist practice page on ONMSD website.

University Maternity Hospital Limerick is the first maternity service in Ireland to introduce a Baby Box Programme. Baby Box University is an educational initiative based on a Finnish model of baby sleeping to reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The programme consists of education and the provision of a baby box which can be used as a baby’s bed for up to 8 months replacing the Moses basket or cot.

The educational component is a set of brief videos covering a broad range of essential topics including breastfeeding, perinatal mental health and sepsis. These are delivered by local healthcare professionals. Women get a login at booking to access the videos. Having completed a short quiz the mother receives a baby box made of durable cardboard with a mattress, sheet and other useful items e.g. babygrow, breast pads. The principle is that the small size of the box prevents babies from rolling onto their tummies, which is considered to be a risk factor for SIDS

The box was designed by one of the maternity service users. It is decorated with butterflies as a symbol of beauty, change, happiness, life. She chose the theme for the box as ‘Celebrating life, celebrating family’. Read more.

Decision following a Fitness to Practise Inquiry

The Board of NMBI has made a decision as to findings and sanction arising from a complaint received under the Nurses Act, 1985.

The findings were made against Ms Mary Teresa McHugh (PIN 60280).

Board Decision following Consideration of an Application

In cases where a complaint is made to the Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) concerning a conviction for a triable offence, the Nurses and Midwives Act, 2011 provides for the PPC to refer the complaint to the Board of NMBI for consideration. The Board has the option to cancel the registrant’s registration.

The Board decided to the cancel the registration of Ms Mary Constance (Connie) Burke (PIN 20349).

The findings are published in full on NMBI's Findings and Decisions page.