NMBI’s annual renewal process closed on Friday 16 April. When the online process closed more than 74,000 nurses and midwives had renewed their registration for 2021.

Removal notices are being issued from this week (from 20 April 2021) to those who were registered with NMBI in 2020 but who did not renew for 2021. The process has been approved by the Board under Section 77 of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011.

Renewal notices were issued to registrants on 26 November 2020 and a Reminder Notice was issued on 16 March 2021. The period of time allowed for renewal was also extended this year from 31 January until 28 February.

As the Regulator, NMBI is also sending notifications of removals to all known employers, the Minister for Health and the HSE. It is an offence to practise nursing or midwifery if your name is not on the Register.

If you wish to restore your name to the Register for 2021, a restoration fee of €250 in addition to your €100 Annual Retention Fee will apply. You will also need to comply with the restoration requirements at the time of application.

NMBI has introduced changes in how it processes applications for qualification recognition for applicants from certain overseas countries.

Up until now non-directive applications for recognition of their qualifications from nurses and midwives – known as G3 applications - included a need to provide evidence they had practised in the previous five years and evidence of active registration in another jurisdiction.

Following a review of this practice by NMBI, the Board met last month and approved a proposal to remove the criteria and change practices.

As a result, G3 applicants will no longer need to provide evidence of practice in the past five years – known as Recency of Practice – and they will no longer need to have active registration with a regulatory body in another country.

Following the decision NMBI has begun to change its online registration portal MyNMBI for G3 applications to reflect the new guidelines. This will go live on 5 May.

Applications submitted under this new regime will incur a non-refundable fee of €350.

The work of NMBI’s Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) is one of the most important cogs in the organisation’s work, says its chairman Denis Murphy.

Denis has been a lay member of the NMBI Board for the past eight years and is into his second term as chair of the PPC. He is the Chief Administration Officer with the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) and an associate lecturer with the RCSI’s Institute of Leadership.

Denis is keen for registrants to know how the PPC works and how decisions are reached alongside the other 10 members of the Committee. Fellow Board members include Mary Gorman (midwife), Áine Lynch (nurse) and two non-nurse/non-midwife members Anne Horgan and Cyril Sullivan.

Non-Board members are Timothy Frawley (nurse), Deirdre Naughton (midwife), and non-nurse/non-midwife representatives Geraldine Feeney, Ann Sheehan, James Doorley and Brendan O’Dea.

The PPC meets 11 times per year (every month except August) to go through complaints made about registered nurses and midwives to NMBI. “Every single member of our committee works extremely hard. We take our role very seriously indeed,” says Denis.

“It’s important for registrants to know that is the case, and in particular it is important for them to know that just because a complaint has been made, it doesn’t always follow that there will be a Fitness to Practise inquiry.” 

“We examine all written submissions on a particular complaint. We do not take oral evidence on allegations which are made. The registrant is also provided with the opportunity to provide his or her views on a complaint before a decision is made. Just because someone has a complaint made against them it does not automatically follow that an FTP inquiry will take place.

“Last year there were 32 complaints which the Committee referred to a Fitness to Practise inquiry. In 60 other cases – almost two-thirds – the Committee issued what is called a ‘Non Prima Facie’ (NPF) opinion which means that the PPC decided that there was no case to answer.

In 2019, 47 cases we referred to inquiry, but there were 77 cases with no further action.”

The Board of NMBI can overturn the decision of the Committee when it recommends not to progress a complaint to an inquiry, but this rarely happens.

“The Committee members are all extremely talented and forensic when it comes to examining the material before us. We go through copious amounts of documentation before each monthly meeting and then the meetings can last several hours as we debate the issues,” says Denis.

“There is consensus amongst committee members in the vast majority of decisions made, however there are occasions where the majority rule determines the outcome.

“The Committee must act in accordance with the terms of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011. Under the Act a copy of the complaint and all documentation must be supplied to the nurse or midwife against whom the complaint has been made so that he/she has the right of reply.

“Sometimes complaints can be deferred if the matter involves an ongoing criminal investigation or a criminal court case. In certain circumstances where the Committee believes a complaint may warrant the immediate suspension of a nurse or midwife from the register, it can also direct the Director of Fitness to Practise to bring the matter to the attention of the CEO and the Board.”

For Denis and his Committee there has been an increase in complaints regarding comments made on social media by nurses and midwives. “This is a growing area of concern for us,” says Denis.

“Whilst the Committee has yet to refer such a complaint to a Fitness to Practise inquiry, that may well change in the future. We are seeing a growing number of complaints about social media postings and that is the reason why a reminder for registrants on their responsibilities was recently issued by NMBI via the website and the March edition of the eZIne. Registrants should read it carefully.”

Denis also wants to reiterate that his Committee operates independently and fairly.

“We operate in accordance with fair procedures at all times. Everyone gets their say before the Preliminary Proceedings Committee. In the cases which do go to an inquiry every nurse and midwife involved at that stage has the right to representation and the right to cross-examine and scrutinise the allegations,” he adds.

You can read more on the workings of the PPC on our website here.

The guiding principles for the administration of medications are outlined in Guidance for Registered Nurses and Midwives on Medication Administration (2020). These guiding principles are designed to assist you to understand your roles and professional responsibilities to safely administer medication across all practice settings. 

To support you in the administration of the Covid-19 vaccines, you should apply this guidance in conjunction with the relevant legislation, professional standards and guidelines, national policy, evidence-based practice and ethical conduct. Specifically:

Legislation

• Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 2020 (SI 698 2020, SI 8 of 2021, SI 43 of 2021)

Professional standards and guidance

• Guidance for Registered Nurses and Midwives on Medication Administration (NMBI, 2020)
• Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Midwives (NMBI, 2014) 
• Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework (NMBI, 2015)

National/local policies

• HSE National Immunisation Office, Clinical Guidance for Covid‐19 Vaccination (HSE, 2021)
• Medicine Protocols for the administration of Covid-19 vaccines (HSE, 2021)

The National Immunisation Office’s standard operating procedures required to support the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme may in some circumstances differ from that required in your local medication management policy. When this occurs, the recommendations in the NIO guidelines, which are based on current expert advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, should be followed.

NMBI has addressed some of the circumstances arising and provides the guidance below:

Double checking medicines: The vaccines being used for the Covid-19 response are not high-alert medications (ISMP, 2018) whose dosage can change, are based on weight and require arithmetical calculations. Nurses and midwives can therefore administer Covid-19 vaccines without double checking if they ensure the 10 ‘rights’ of medication administration are adhered to:

1.Right patient; 2. Right reason; 3. Right medication; 4. Right route; 5. Right time i.e. Within the required time window for administration; 6. Right dose; 7. Right form; 8. Right action; 9. Right documentation; 10. Right response (NMBI 2020 p.16).

The vaccines being used for the Covid-19 response have been granted a conditional licence by the EMA and are available in multi-dose vials (MDV). In circumstances where a nurse/midwife is required to carry out the dilution of a MDV, an independent double check of the dilution process should be carried out (if staffing permits).

If an MDV is being used by more than one nurse or midwife (e.g. at the end of the day), independent double checking of the dilution process should be carried out (if staffing permits).

Both of these processes should be supported through quality assurance policies. 

Please note: Where dilution of the MDV vaccine is conducted by Pharmacy support, there is no requirement for nurses or midwives to conduct a double check prior to administration once the nurse or midwife ensures the 10 ‘rights’ of medication administration are adhered to. 

Preparation of Covid-19 vaccines for administration: To ensure safe administration, best practice requires that medicines should only be prepared for administration immediately before its prescribed administration time and not in advance, unless required (NMBI, 2020).

The HSE Infection Prevention and Control Interim Guidance advises staff that when the medication is presented in a MDV, they should prepare to administer the injection in a physically separate clean controlled environment with minimal risk of distraction. To minimise distraction in the busy environment of a Vaccination Centre, a nurse/midwife may prepare syringes for administration in advance of the vaccine recipient coming into their vaccination booth. This practice can only occur once the nurse/midwife has read the relevant National SOP (see National Medicines Management Guidance document below). 

Patient Safety: The key issue for medicines management is the safety of the patient, which is dependent on the appropriate person who has the competency, knowledge and authority to safely administer medicines along with the other aspects of monitoring and evaluating for medicines effect. 

Whilst the dispensing (includes reconstitution and labelling) of medications is an essential component of pharmacy practice, nurses and midwives in some settings may find themselves without pharmacy support in the delivery of the vaccination programme. For this reason, it is important that nurses and midwives understand the critical points in the medication management pathway so that any risks of adverse outcomes are alleviated. Local risk assessment should be introduced to ensure optimal stewardship of vaccination processes. Specific guidance should be followed as outlined in the National Medicines Management Guidance for Use in Centralised HSE Vaccination Clinics (HSE, 2021).

The requirement to hold dual registration in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has always been in place for nurses and midwives wishing to practise in both jurisdictions. Nursing and midwifery are regulated professions, and regulations are in place to ensure patient safety. Any nurse/midwife who wishes to practise in the professions in the Republic of Ireland must be registered with NMBI.

NMBI has been liaising with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland and wishes to assure colleagues that we will continue to support them through the application process.

NMBI welcomes applications from Northern Ireland and Britain (UK). Our staff are currently supporting applicants with this process and will continue to do so over the coming weeks.

Applications to NMBI from nurses/midwives in Northern Ireland and Britain continue to be assessed as closely as possible to the European Application pathway. UK-awarded qualifications will also continue to be processed within the same timelines as EU qualifications.

Mature applicants to 2021 pre-registration Nursing and Midwifery degree programme - test familiarisation booklet

NMBI wishes to announce that the process for selecting mature applicants applying to the nursing and midwifery degree programmes includes assessment tests which are scheduled to be undertaken between Thursday, 22 April and Wednesday, 28 April 2021. Information on the tests is available in a familiarisation booklet which is now on our website.

Applicants who are applying for a nursing and midwifery degree programme as a mature applicant in 2021 must successfully complete our assessment tests in order to be eligible to have their application considered.  

NMBI has developed the Assessment Test familiarisation booklet 2021 to introduce applicants to the assessment tests that will be used. It aims to ensure that applicants are comfortable with the testing format and are aware of how to do their best in the test situation. By using the familiarisation booklet to prepare for the assessment test, they will be able to perform to the best of their ability on the test day.  

As part of the preparation, Aon Assessment Solutions have developed some videos to assist in preparing for the tests. These videos will give applicants an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the format and type of questions they can expect in the actual tests. The videos can be accessed on the Aon website. NMBI strongly advises applicants to review the information both in the booklet and on the Aon website. This will help the applicant understand what they have to do before they take the actual tests.

The assessment tests will be delivered remotely online in 2021. There will be a set period (a ‘testing window’) during which applicants must register and complete the three tests. Applicants should be aware that during the registration process they will be required to confirm that they have read the booklet including an Honesty Contract in order to proceed to testing. 

Registration and completing the tests can be conducted any time between 10am on Thursday, 22 April and 1pm on Wednesday, 28 April 2021. 

NMBI strongly recommend that applicants register and complete all of the tests early in the testing window.  

For queries relating to the online assessment tests, you can contact us by email at careersinformation@nmbi.ie

It took nearly two years from planning to completion, but Wexford now has its first ever ‘water baby’. 

For Helen McLoughlin, Director of Midwifery at Wexford General, and her team the wait was worth it all.

Helen and her colleagues at the Wexford Maternity Unit began to offer Hydrotherapy and Waterbirth as a choice for birth in the county last autumn and their first delivery took place on 25 November last.

“Since then, we have had 20 women who have used the pool for hydrotherapy. Eleven of those progressed to a waterbirth while five others used the pool for labour and subsequently delivered on land,” says Helen.

“A key point of the National Maternity Strategy (2016 – 2026) is that women should be offered the option of water for labour and/or birth and we are delighted that women in Wexford and our catchment area now have this service as an option.

“We are very grateful to our local NMPDU and National Women and Infant’s Programme for their funding and support in allowing us to develop this service in Wexford Maternity Unit.”

The pool arrived at the end of December 2019 and was installed by September 2020. The project team defined the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria, developed patient information leaflets and posters, held ongoing waterbirth study days, developed competency and audit documents and held training sessions for staff.

“On Wednesday 25 November 2020, after nearly two years of planning and training the very eagerly anticipated first waterbirth in Wexford General Maternity Unit happened,” says Helen.

“A beautiful baby girl  – weighing 7lbs 12 ozs - arrived gently into this world and was greeted by a unit full of very enthusiastic midwives who celebrated her arrival.

“It not only marked the arrival of another great woman on this planet but it also marked the point where strength and determination to deliver evidence-based women-centred care, when challenges appear was finally rewarded.

“The benefits of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team from the outset were clearly evident.

“The response on social media was just phenomenal, it was simply joyous to see that amount of supportive positive comments from our midwifery colleagues and water birth supporters across the nation and further afield.

“We are so proud of our step forward for our midwifery team in facilitating choice and evidence-based birthing options for women.”

In December almost a quarter of all women requested the use of the birthing pool at Wexford for either labour and/or birth.

The benefits of water for pain relief and/or birth are highlighted in information leaflets produced for women in hospital settings where water births are now facilitated. Expectant mothers who wish to discuss the use of a birthing pool should discuss this option with their midwife.

Would you like to feature you and your healthcare team in an interview for the NMBI eZine? Email communications@nmbi.ie

Background: A Digital Roadmap for Nursing and Midwifery (2019) has been developed by the HSE to facilitate national engagement on what actions need to happen for nursing and midwifery and to initiate and progress strategic and policy decisions about information and digital technology in nursing and midwifery.

One of the key goals of the Roadmap is to build a digital workplace. Recognising the changes in healthcare due to the advent of digital technologies and taking into account all aspects of professional practice, developing digital capabilities for nursing and midwifery is a fundamental component of this to provide support for individuals and organisations within the professions.

The Australian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH) has recently developed a capabilities framework for Australian nurses and midwives. This work was completed in partnership and for the Australian Digital Health Agency with the input and support of the major nursing and midwifery professional associations, education and representative bodies. Following extensive national consultation, the Framework was released in October 2020.

Loretto Grogan, National Clinical Information Officer for Nursing and Midwifery approached AIDH to explore the possibility of adapting the Framework for the Irish healthcare setting. AIDH responded with a proposal which was welcomed by the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, ONMSD National Digital Advisory Group and the Digital Capabilities Development Group.

Alongside the AIDH proposal, colleagues in Northern Ireland were also exploring the requirement for a Digital Health Capabilities Framework. Following engagement, a collaborative arrangement in the development of an All-Ireland framework for nurses and midwives was agreed. This proposal was discussed with key nursing and midwifery leaders in Northern Ireland, and in particular the office of the Chief Nursing Officer, gaining approval to progress.

There is an opportunity to leverage off the work completed to date and the knowledge gained through the project to contribute to the development of an all-Ireland Framework.

The Framework: The National Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Capability Framework has been created to:

• define the digital health knowledge, skills and attitudes required for professional practice
• complement existing individual knowledge, skill, and attitudinal frameworks, and
• provide a solid basis for tailored learning

It outlines the capabilities required to support individuals and organisations in extending their digital health development rather than providing a rigid set of competencies. It is intended to enable and inform and is not intended to be adopted as a professional standard but should be used as a resource to guide individuals, employers and educators in their workforce and professional development planning and delivery.

Most importantly, the Framework intends to promote and encourage positive attitudes in relation to the increasing introduction and adoption of technology and innovation. The Framework consists of five domains:

• Domain 1 – Digital Professionalism
• Domain 2 – Leadership and Advocacy
• Domain 3 – Data and Information Quality
• Domain 4 – Information-enabled Care
• Domain 5 – Technology

The five domains sit within the context of nurses and midwives’ roles, workplace settings and the professional standards that apply to their practice. It recognises the breadth of the disciplines of nursing and midwifery and the fact that they operate within existing professional structures and rules.

Consultation: A phased consultation process was undertaken across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. To date this has involved the dissemination of a questionnaire with an opportunity for written feedback and a series of 14 consultation workshops. Recruitment of participants for the consultation was purposeful based on their area of practice or work. This was to ensure broad representation across all areas of practice and work domains and broad representation of the various roles within those areas of practice and work domains. 

Analyses of the feedback from the consultation process is complete and The Framework is currently being adapted for our healthcare settings. We will be disseminating the All-Ireland Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Capability Framework widely for final review and feedback by nurses and midwives at the end of April. The HSE would value feedback from our registrants on this important work. In addition, we would like to thank colleagues for your help and input to date. It is appreciated.

References: Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director. (2019). Digital Roadmap for Nursing and Midwifery 2019 - 2024.

Australian Digital Health Agency. (2020). National Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Capability Framework.

With new more transmissible variants of Covid-19 now prominent in Ireland, the Government has announced a cautious approach to re-opening society between now and the end of the full vaccine roll-out. Restrictions on travel have eased to allow people to travel within their counties or up to 20km from home for those who live close to county boundaries.

Among the changes which will benefit vaccinated nurses and midwives is that they can, two weeks after receiving a second vaccine does, meet up indoors with other fully vaccinated people from one other household without having to wear a mask or social distance.

NMBI continues to urge registrants to seek their advice from reputable sources, with the latest Government advice. The latest updates on public health restrictions are available here.

Newly updated guidance is also now available from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre here.

Latest information on the vaccine roll-out, including the latest advice is available here.

Public Health Information: For the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please visit the HSE website and the HPSC website. Clinical and professional guidance relating to Covid-19 is available on the HPSE website where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings.

You can find the Covid-19 A-Z information here from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Please also check the Healthy Ireland site here with further resources and information on the Keep Well campaign. You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of Covid-19 here.

Ireland’s Covid-19 Data Hub is available here.

Nurse Dawn Wallace honoured with Frontline Hero Award

An A&E nurse from County Westmeath has been named Frontline Star of the Year by the Irish Independent.

Dawn Wallace plays ladies gaelic football with St Mary’s Rochfortbridge who will be going for a third county title in a row later this year.

And she has worked through the pandemic on the frontline at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore.

In a moving interview with the newspaper Dawn tells of her brother’s battle with a rare cancer, how her family and county came together to help and her own dedication to her work through Covid-19.

Dawn won the newspaper’s monthly award last July and won the overall 2020 award recently. She was nominated for the award by family friend Lynn Clarke who described her as a ‘born nurse, a natural carer’.

You can read the full interview with Vincent Hogan here.

Former President of An Bord Altranais appointed to the Board of the HSE

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, has announced the appointment of Anne Carrigy to the board of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The appointments come after the Public Appointments Service (PAS) campaign for additional members on the board.

Welcoming the appointments, the Minister said: "I am delighted to welcome Ms Anne Carrigy and Mr Brendan Whelan to the board of the HSE, who are taking on challenging but important positions at this stage.

"The board is central to strengthening governance and contributes to improving the oversight and performance of the HSE. We are currently focused on the pandemic and by ensuring the full potential of the HSE Board, I am ensuring that it is in the best possible position to address the challenges of reform and reorganisation that will accelerate in the coming months and years."

The appointment of the two new members has resulted in a total of 12 members on the board, bringing the board to a total number of staff for the first time since its inception in 2019. The legislation establishing the board allows for the chairman, vice-chairman and 10 members and the full board is now in place.

These appointments were made following an open competition operated by the Public Appointments Service, which invited applications from individuals with specific expertise in patient advocacy and/or experienced clinicians. These are competencies specified in the legislation that must be acquired by at least two members of the HSE Board.

Ms Carrigy was appointed under the provision requiring the applicant to practise as a member of a health profession.

Anne is a career nurse. Having specialised and worked in Intensive Care, she moved into nursing management as Director of Nursing and Head of Corporate Affairs at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin.

She then joined the HSE as Director of the Serious Incident Management Team and later became National Leader, HSE Acute Hospital Services.

She has served on National and International Boards and Committees for many years including as President of An Bord Altranais, Member of the Board of ENDA (European Association of Directors of Nurses); President of FEPI (European Federation of Nursing Professionals); Council Member of the Medical Council of Ireland; Member of the Board of HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority); and Member of the Governing Body of Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

She is passionate about patients and recommended patient-centred care, having dedicated her life to improving patient care services.

Nursing professional Justin Kerr is appointed Vice-President of GMIT Mayo

The president and governing body of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) has announced the appointment of Justin Kerr as the new vice-president of GMIT Mayo. He has also been appointed head of the newly established School of Health Science, Wellbeing & Society, succeeding Professor Neville McClenaghan.

Justin first joined GMIT in 2015 as head of the Department of Nursing, Health Sciences and Social Care, and has led the team in creating and delivering a suite of new programmes at undergraduate and post-graduate level.

Prior to joining GMIT he was assistant director of nursing in Mayo General Hospital where he had responsibility for the clinical learning environment of undergraduate honours degree nursing students in hospitals across the HSE West region.

Justin has extensive experience in nursing practice in Ireland, the UK and Australia and has held management positions in nursing, risk management and general management. He is a Registered General Nurse and is currently a member of the undergraduate site inspection team for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

He has been involved in, and led on, numerous national and regional initiatives within the Health Service Executive (HSE). He was regional coordinator for Acute Hospital Services for HSE West with responsibility for coordinating the development of acute care services along the western seaboard, and he led a project to establish the Symptomatic Breast Disease Network between Letterkenny General Hospital and University Hospital Galway.

As well as having a strong clinical background, Mr. Kerr holds a Masters degree in Population Health Evidence from Manchester University, a post-graduate specialist Diploma in Quality Management from University of Limerick, and a post-graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing from NUI Galway. He is a Fellow with the NHS National Education Scotland Patient Safety Programme and he is currently studying for a PhD with NUI Galway.

President of GMIT, Dr Orla Flynn, said: “The establishment of a new GMIT school led from our Mayo campus is a significant development for both GMIT and the entire western region. We are delighted to have appointed Justin Kerr to this key senior role, and we wish him every success.

“GMIT is facing an exciting stage of development as, along with our Connacht-Ulster Alliance partners IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT, we journey towards becoming a Technological University. We look forward to seeing our Mayo campus placed at the very heart of this new university.”

Speaking about his appointment, Tyrone native Justin Kerr: “I look forward to continuing to build on success and creating opportunities within the new school and to work closely with the community and the region.”

Covid restrictions sees rise in home births

Visiting restrictions in hospitals due to the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a large increase in the number of women choosing to give birth at home.

Denise Malone, the designated midwifery officer for the HSE’s Cork and Kerry home birth service, said that nationally there had been a 30 per cent increase in home births which is “absolutely” linked to restrictions since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

Ms Malone told the Irish Times that in the Dublin Mid-Leinster region home births surged by 60 per cent.

You can read the article here.

Care bundle helped to reduce injury from wearing PPE, RCSI study finds

An academic study at an Irish hospital has found that a new ‘care bundle’ can reduce the incidence of Facial Pressure Injuries (FPIs) in frontline Covid-19 healthcare workers caused by the prolonged wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The study, led by researchers from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Skin Wounds and Trauma (SWaT) Research Centre, is published in the current edition of the Journal of Wound Care.

The research took place over a two-month period amongst healthcare workers in a large acute hospital in Ireland. Approximately 300 frontline staff were provided with a care bundle, designed in line with international best practice and comprising of face cleansing material, moisturising balm) and protective tape.

Results showed that prior to using the care bundle 29 per cent of respondents developed FPIs, whereas after using it only eight per cent of respondents developed FPIs.

Professor Zena Moore, Director of the SWaT Research Centre and Head of the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery, was lead researcher on the study. Prof Moore said: "We are acutely aware of the facial injuries, such as pressure ulcers, bruises and skin tears that healthcare workers are experiencing due to the prolonged wearing of protective equipment during the pandemic and especially the wearing of medical face masks.

“These injuries can be painful for staff and injuries in some cases can put them at increased risk of infection. This study is the first of its kind carried out at the height of the pandemic in an effort to help mitigate the occurrence of Facial Pressure Injuries. The results tell us that when skincare is prioritised, and a systematic preventative care bundle approach is adopted, there are clear benefits for the frontline workers and the workplaces involved."

You can read the RCSI report here.

Former ICU nurse helped to lead Defence Forces Covid-19 training

A former ICU news has spoken about how her training helped the Defence Forces prepare for work on the frontline dealing with Covid-19.

Lieutenant Louise Dixon was tasked with devising a Covid-19 decontamination training for soldiers at the Custume Barracks in Athlone before being moved to Defence Forces’ medical corps to assist with training troops if they were required to be deployed to nursing homes, which were struggling to cope with staff shortages last year.

The training “was a big example of the army stepping up and adapting their training", said Lt Dixon. "It shows the resilience of our soldiers and how we can help any sector of society that needs it.”

Lt Dixon is currently deployed overseas as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s Irish-Polish Battalion and was speaking to the Irish Examiner as part of a drive to recruit more women into the Defence Forces. You can read more about her story here.

Midwives awarded for their care for mums

Two midwives have won €2,500 each for their colleagues, thanks to their exceptional work with their patients.

The inaugural winners of the WaterWipes Pure Foundation Fund have been named as Aisling Dixon, community midwife, and Bernadette Darcy, a midwife at Mayo University Hospital. 

Bernadette Darcy, a midwife at Mayo University Hospital, was nominated by first time mum Michelle Filan for her support and caring after she suffered an aneurysm leading to serious memory loss with no recollection of having her baby. 

“Words can’t express how thankful we are to Bernadette during this worrying time,” says Michelle. “My Guardian Angel Bernie cared for me and my son Coby with dignity and respect.”

You can read more about Aisling and Bernadette here.

Special publication pays tribute to nurses and midwives during pandemic

A special HSE-backed publication to mark the efforts of Irish nurses and midwives during the pandemic over the last year has been published by the DMG Media Ireland, owners of the Irish Daily Mail.

The unique publication The Pulse is an industry-wide collaboration, led by DMG, and all advertising and sales revenue generated will go to a special educational fund for nurses and midwives throughout the country.

DMG’s editorial team created the content for The Pulse with support from many Irish personalities and household names.  These included An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Christy Moore, Roy Keane, Hozier, Joe Duffy, Daniel and Majella O’Donnell, Mario Rosenstock, Ian Dempsey, Gerry Daly, Kathryn Thomas, Baz Ashwamy, Hector, Kevin Dundon, Pete Wedderburn, Colin Farrell, Michael Flatly, Rosanna Davidson, and many more.

Paul Reid, HSE CEO said: “Our health service, and our country as a whole, owes a huge amount to the hard work, commitment and professionalism of all healthcare and frontline workers, including the largest group among us, our nurses and midwives.

“This generous donation to support the professional development of nurses and midwives, supported by DMG Media and all involved in this publication, is a great recognition of that contribution. The HSE thanks all involved in its production, and all those who read and support it.”

Paul Henderson of DMG Media added: “Nurses have been the constant link between families separated from loved ones by the Covid restrictions. They have been answering phones, relaying messages, a caring touch and delivering a word of. With The Pulse we all get to say, ‘Thank you’ in a real way by going out to your local shop and buying a copy for just €2.”

You can read more about the publication here.

We know from our work with registrants that sharing experiences can help others. We also like to highlight careers and different career paths in the Nursing and Midwifery Professions.

That’s why we would love to hear from you. We want to focus on you and your profession in our monthly editions of the NMBI eZine.

If you or your team would like to participate, please complete the questionnaire below and email it to communications@nmbi.ie.

Please include a picture or pictures of you.

This month we feature Olive Gallagher who is Director of Nursing, Cancer Managed Clinical Academic Network, Saolta University Healthcare Group, Galway University Hospital.

Why did you choose a career in nursing/midwifery?

I think nursing chose me really. I come from a long family history of nurses and I never wanted to be anything else – my mum was a wonderful nurse and her commitment to patient care and sense of team always came through so strongly from her. She spoke so positively about nursing that I never really considered any other career. For me, the values in nursing really say it all - care, compassion and commitment and they matched my own values, so we are a good fit really.

Was this your first career choice and what would you do if you weren’t a nurse/midwife?

Nursing was always my first career choice. I did consider teaching for a short time so that is possibly where I would be if I wasn’t in nursing, although with the challenge of home schooling recently I think I make a better nurse than teacher.

How do you believe you have made a difference as a nurse/midwife?

The majority of my nursing career has been spent in cancer services. It is a most privileged position to be in; travelling a journey with patients at a very difficult time in their lives,  supporting them, guiding them and providing the best evidence-based, compassionate nursing care I can, each and every time. I have worked in many roles over the years from staff nurse to Cnm2, Cancer Information Nurse, Patient Advice and Liaison Co-ordinator, ADON to my current role as Director of Nursing for the newly formed Cancer Managed Clinical Academic Network (MCAN) in Saolta University Healthcare Group . A strong commitment to patient experience has been a common thread throughout.

My current role is part of an integrated governance project using a collaborative approach to provide cancer care within Saolta hospitals and specialities, working together to improve quality and outcomes for our patients.  I’d like to think I have made a difference to every patient I have encountered. I will continue to do this as long as I am in nursing.

Do you have a memory in your job that really stands out?

I remember my first shift on A Ward in St Luke’s Hospital in Rathgar – it was my first time working in a dedicated cancer ward and I knew immediately I had made the right choice. I have never looked back since and thank them for the grounding and professional direction they gave me that set me on the path to where I am today.

How has Covid -19 changed nursing? Are there any positives that you will take with you?

Covid-19 has been really challenging for nursing and has changed the way we deliver care to our patients. The need for social distancing and PPE has made the human touch, that is so important, in a time that is full of fear and anxiety really difficult. Through compassion, professionalism, specialist knowledge and innovation nurses have come up with many ways to circumvent this, connecting with patients and their families despite Covid-19 with care and compassion. I am very proud of all my colleagues worldwide and to be a nurse at this time.

If you could, what advice would you give to 19 year old you, starting out?

Always keep the patient central in everything you do and you will never go wrong. Take every opportunity that comes your way even if you are uncertain. This is when you will grow personally and professionally. Treat everyone with compassion and if you get the opportunity to attend a Schwartz round, grab it, as it epitomises compassionate care.

If you were given one million euro to spend on health, how would you spend it?

Unfortunately it would not go too far I am afraid but if I had a choice I would spend it on Covid-19 vaccines for developing countries. We may have a global pandemic but not all global responses are equal.

It’s post-pandemic and you’ve just won a holiday to anywhere in the world! Where would you go and why?

Disneyland with all my family - grandparents, nephews and nieces included.

Lockdown has been really difficult for us all but particularly our children. Disneyland  is really a magical place that offers a great escape from reality and allows even the adults to be childlike again!

Back to reality…. You’ve a week to spend on holidays in Ireland. Where would you go and why?

Donegal – I trained in Letterkenny many moons ago with a wonderful group of nurses and it is one of most beautiful counties in Ireland. Golden beaches, fabulous scenery and great people.