We would like to welcome our new Director of Fitness to Practise, Orla Crowe, who took up the role on 24 April.

Orla is a solicitor with over 11 years of professional experience. She previously worked in the Health and Social Care Department in the legal firm Byrne Wallace, where she specialised in child protection matters. Prior to that, Orla worked as a criminal defence solicitor and as a human rights lawyer in Kosovo and Malawi.  

Orla has always had an interest in the professions of nursing and midwifery, as her mother is a registered nurse who continues to practise in Mayo.

In her first message to registrants, Orla shared her ambitions for the role:

“Considering and investigating complaints about a registered nurse or midwife’s fitness to practise is an essential part of the regulator’s role. However, we also know that it can be a stressful time for those involved in a fitness to practise complaint or inquiry, whether as a registrant or a witness.

“As set out in our Statement of Strategy 2023-2025, we aim to implement a more person-centred approach to complaints against a nurse or midwife. For example, we will soon be launching an emotional support helpline for registrants and witnesses who are involved in a fitness to practise complaint. We also want to ensure that there is learning across the system when it comes to complaints against the professions. To drive this, we are going to compile and publish information on the types of complaints we receive about nurses and midwives. This will allow us to identify trends and areas where further training may be required.

“I also very much wish to engage with anyone who has been involved in the process and wishes to provide feedback. As a team, we hope to reflect on current practise and continuously strive to enhance the process for everyone involved.

“I look forward to leading the Fitness to Practise Department as we work to protect the integrity of the professions.”