The Minister for Health Dr James Reilly addressed the conference and said that the new Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 sets out to ensure better outcomes for patients since it places the protection of the public at its very core. He acknowledged the exciting changes in the regulation of nursing and midwifery and changes throughout the healthcare system that would require the continued and valued input of nurses and midwives. 


The conference featured a number of speakers who addressed the implications of the new Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 for nursing and midwifery.  The notion of change and its effect within the healthcare environment was also explored in presentations from invited guests, Mr John Saunders, Director of Shine and Dr. Phillip Crowley, HSE National Director.  A presentation by Ms. Ciara Burns, Investigator at the Office of the Ombudsman, explained that whilst Ombudsmen and Regulators can be seen to have different functions, they also have a common aim within the healthcare arena - the protection of the patient and the integrity of the healthcare system. Ciara outlined the Ombudsman’s “top ten” complaints in the healthcare area and detailed some of cases that were dealt with by her office, emphasising the lessons that could be learned from the patient experience and those of their carers. 

The conference finished with a presentation on leadership in nursing by Dr Maura Pidgeon, CEO, NMBI.  In acknowledgement of two great leaders in nursing, a presentation was made to Mrs Anne Carrigy, President of An Bord Altranais and Ms. Sheila O’Malley, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health (Retired) and President of An Bord Altranais (1997-2002). 

The conference was streamed live for the first time this year and can still be viewed on our website at
  http://mediasite.charteredaccountants.ie/mediasite/SilverlightPlayer/Default.aspx?peid=fb6b5b2c83c246209f596521f3da726e1d&authTicket=b9a6258619f84f9a8d019ce2e51c3819



The presentations made by conference speakers are available for download below in one compiled PDF file or as individual presentations. Also available for download is a booklet with biographies and abstracts of presenters.  

http://www.nursingboard.ie/en/conferences-article.aspx?article=5c7bc43b-e975-4dff-8c64-6e998ef58a81