Our CEO, Sheila McClelland, took part in a panel discussion as part of the Irish University Association’s (IUA’s) Future of Ireland event on 15 June.

The event was hosted by Newstalk’s Shane Coleman to discuss the challenges facing universities in producing the future skills needs for the health sector as the number of student places across medical and nursing professions expands.

Opening the event, Minister Stephen Donnelly discussed the need to increase the number of healthcare places in education bodies across the country, educate students to the highest possible standard and ensuring they are equipped for the future and ensure students have a positive experience during their study and placement.

Following the keynote address, Sheila took part in a panel discussion with the Minister, Professor Orla Sheils, Vice Provost Trinity College Dublin (TCD), and Professor Stephen Byrne, Deputy President University College Cork (UCC).

Pictured (L-R): Professor Orla Sheils,Vice Provost at TCD; Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly; Jim Miley, IUA Director General; Sheila McClelland, NMBI CEO and Stephen Byrne, Deputy President UCC

Sheila highlighted the importance of working collaboratively to increase clinical placements for nursing and midwifery students in order to increase capacity at education bodies, and ensuring placements are also based in the community to prepare for the move to community-based care in line with Sláintecare.

She said it was important for regulators to be flexible and adapt to change in a rapidly changing healthcare environment, stating NMBI is the first regulator to set education standards and requirements to build digital health competency in undergraduate programmes for health professionals.  

Over 300 people attended the event either in-person in The Alex Hotel, Dublin or online.

The event was closed by Jim Miley, IUA Director General, who summarised the proceedings and conversations before thanking the Minister, panellists and attendees.