A Decade of Progress: A Legacy for Nursing and Midwifery · Nursing and Midwifery Planning and...

National Council for the Professional Development of Nursingand Midwifery: a decade of progess: a legacy of nursing and

midwifery: annual report and accounts 2010

Item type Other

Authors National Council for the Professional Development ofNursing and Midwifery

Publisher National Council for the Professional Development ofNursing and Midwifery

Downloaded 7-Jun-2018 11:46:01

Link to item http://hdl.handle.net/10147/263625

Find this and similar works at - http://www.lenus.ie/hse

http://hdl.handle.net/10147/263625

An Chomhairle Náisiúnta d’Fhorbairt Ghairmiúil an Altranais agus an Chnáimhseachais

National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery

A Decade of Progress: A Legacy for Nursing and Midwifery

Tuarascáil Bhliantúil agus Cuntais Bhliantúla

AnnuAl RepoRt & Accounts 2010

Published by:

National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery 6–7 Manor Street Business Park, Manor Street, Dublin 7.

T: 353 1 882 5300 F: 353 1 868 0366 E: [email protected] W: www.ncnm.ie

Mission Statement of the National CouncilThe purpose of the Council is to promote and develop the professional role of nurses and midwives in partnership with stake-holders in order to support the delivery of quality nursing and midwifery care to patients/clients in a changing healthcare environment.

© National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery, 2011

3

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Contents

National Council Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Staff of the National Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Chairperson’s Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Chief Executive Officer’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

the nAtionAl CounCil, 1999-2010 A DeCADe of pRogRess: A legACy foR nuRsing AnD MiDwifeRy . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

ACtivities & AChieveMents of the nAtionAl CounCil, 1999-2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

The Role and Functions of the National Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Health Service Reform Programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Governance and Regulation Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Board of the National Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Committees of the National Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

ACtivities RepoRt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Activities Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Clinical Career Pathway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Clinical Nurse/Midwife specialist Posts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner Posts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Evaluation of Clinical Nurse/Midwife specialists and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners. . . . . . . . . . . .36

Practice Environment and Facilitating services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

New Publications in 2010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Working with the Professions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Continuing Professional Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Continuing Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Working with Education Providers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

seminars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

supporting Evidence for Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Research Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Communication and Dissemination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Tenth National Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Website. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

NCNM Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Presentations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

other Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

ACCounts foR the yeAR enDeD 31 DeCeMbeR 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

AppenDiCes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Appendix 1: Publications of the National Council, 2001–2010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Appendix 2: Continuing Education Programmes Approved for Funding in 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Appendix 3: Grants for Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner Post Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Appendix 4: Innovative Research Development Initiative Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

4

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

national Council Members

Members of the National Council from 30th November 2009 Appointed by Ms Mary Harney, TD, Minister for Health and Children

Dr Laraine Joyce

Ms Valerie small

Ms Maura Nash

Mr Brendan Byrne

Ms Antoinette Doocey

Ms Aveen Murray

Mr Patrick Hume

Ms Jacqueline Burke

Ms Mary Brosnan

Mrs Anne Carrigy

Ms Marie Keane

Ms sheila o’Malley

Mr Tony Morris

Prof Pearl Treacy

Ms Bernie Quillinan

Dr siobhan o’Halloran

Ms Maureen Kington

Dr Gary Brown

Dr Aílís Ni Riain1

Ms Marie Tighe

1. Resigned 20th october 2010.

5

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

staff of the national Council

Chief Executive Officer Yvonne o’shea, RGN, RM, RNT, BA, Msc (Econ), PhD,

FFNM ad eundem (RCsI)

Head of Professional Development

and Continuing Education

Kathleen Mac Lellan, RGN, Dip Couns, Msc, MBA, PhD

Professional Development Officers Mary Farrelly, RPN, RGN, BNs, M Med sc (Nursing)

Georgina Farren, RGN, RM, BNs (Hons), Msc (Midwifery),

LLB (Hons), BL

Jenny Hogan, RGN, Pg Dip in Executive Coaching,

BA (Hons), M sc

Christine Hughes, RNID, RGN, RNT, Dip in Project

Management, BA (Mod), H Dip, M Ed, M sc

Research Development Officer sarah Condell, RGN, RM, RNT, BNs, MA

Head of Management Services Helen Bohan, BBs (Hons), MBA

Administrative Officers Lorna Byrne

Jackie Lillis

Paula o’Meara

Clerical Officers Mary Kennedy

Carol Kilroy

6

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Chairperson’s statement

The activities of the National Council during 2010, which are outlined in this

Annual Report, highlight another year of progress and achievement. over

the past decade, as we also report, the National Council has been engaged

in taking forward its mission of promoting and developing the professional

roles of nurses and midwives, in partnership with our stakeholders, in order

to support the delivery of quality nursing and midwifery care to patients and

clients in a changing healthcare environment.

The National Council has provided leadership in delivering the clinical career pathway for the

professions. I note with pleasure that, at the end of 2010, there were 2,249 clinical nurse/midwife

specialist and 154 advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts within the Irish health services.

A further ninety-five advanced nurse/midwife practitioners were accredited or were deemed to

have met the National Council’s standards and criteria for accreditation and re-accreditation.

In addition, over 650 education programmes, involving more than 30,000 nurses and midwives,

have been funded by the National Council which supported new nursing developments such as

the Nursing Leadership Centre, the development of the Cancer Nursing strategy and the setting

up of minor injury clinics in accident and emergency departments and many other nurse-led

developments across a wide range of care settings.

The end purpose of all our strategies and activities has been directed towards those who use

the health services in Ireland. our efforts have been consistently directed towards ensuring their

safety and the quality of the care and service they receive from nurses and midwives. Patient

safety, high-quality service and person-centred care have always been at the heart of nursing

and midwifery care and these concepts have become central to the international and national

healthcare policy debate over the last ten years.

The culture and ethos of the National Council have been characterised by accountability, probity,

transparency, empowerment and partnership. These qualities are reflected in our two documents

Review of Achievements, 1999–2009 and Review of Achievements, 1999–2010: Publications

– Leadership, Guidance and Evidence for Best Practice, which we published in 2009 and 2010

respectively. The former provided an overview of how the National Council led and collaborated

with nurses, midwives, numerous health services and other key agencies. The latter contained

a summary of over fifty National Council publications that, taken together, encompass the main

strands of ten years of service to nursing, midwifery and healthcare.

The National Council’s work has evolved into five broad categories: the clinical career pathway;

providing guidance for and facilitating the practice environment and healthcare services;

supporting continuing professional development; supporting the use of evidence in practice; and

communicating with and disseminating information among the nursing and midwifery professions.

The documents produced by the National Council clearly demonstrate these core components.

The numerous research reports, position papers, discussion papers, resource packs, framework

documents and handbooks have been distributed, acted upon and cited in Ireland and abroad.

They reflect the changes that have taken place in Ireland and their impact on the health system as

a whole and on nurses and midwives in particular.

7

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

From the outset, strong communication with the professions and with stake-holders has

underpinned our activities and the publications of the National Council represent but one facet of

this. Face-to-face contact, the annual national conference, the regional meetings and seminars have

brought together nurses and midwives of all grades and from different settings as contributors and

participants, to share ideas and practice development. The National Council has used electronic

information systems and information technology, through its website and through electronic

networking, to ensure the widest possible communication of its resources and activities.

The National Council would like to record its thanks to Mary Harney, TD, Minister for Health and

Children, to the Nursing Policy Division of the Department of Health and Children and to the Health

service Executive for their longstanding support and partnership. With the expected enactment

in the coming year of the Nurses and Midwives Bill, 2010, it is appropriate for me, on behalf of the

National Council, to express our deep appreciation to all who have supported our work in 2010 and

over the past decade.

I would also like to thank our colleagues in An Bord Altranais, the third-level schools of nursing

and midwifery and the centres of nursing and midwifery education, the nursing and midwifery

planning and development units, service providers, and the multidisciplinary teams located within

organisations and services, as well as nurses and midwives working at local, regional and national

levels, both in the healthcare and education sectors. A special word of thanks and acknowledgement

is due to my predecessor Mr Liam Dunbar, who served as Executive Chairperson and then as

Chairperson during the early years of the National Council, and to all the members who have given

of their time over the past ten years. The Chief Executive officer Yvonne o’shea and the executive

staff of the National Council have continued to demonstrate the highest level of commitment and

enthusiasm and I would like to pay tribute to their exceptional dedication and hard work.

Co-operation and collaboration have been crucial to the National Council’s achievements, whether

these have taken place with individual nurses and midwives, with other organisations and agencies,

or at local, regional, national and international levels. This approach has resulted in much more

than the creation and development of the clinical career pathway.

There is an inherent capacity in individual nurses and midwives and within groups of nurses and

midwives to think and act creatively in the best interests of patients and healthcare service users. The

National Council has drawn on this capacity and on its own resources and has facilitated its various

stakeholders to do so too, as evidenced by the vast array of local, regional, national and international

projects funded and/or participated in. The healthcare system as a whole has benefited from the

capacity for implementing policy, integrating evidence into practice and providing transformational

leadership that has been built within the nursing and midwifery workforce with the support of the

National Council. ultimately and most importantly, patients and health service users have been the

main beneficiaries. The National Council has constructed a rich professional legacy, one that I hope

will continue to provide inspiration and motivation for nurses and midwives.

Dr Laraine Joyce

Chairperson

8

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Chief executive officer’s Report

The National Council was established as a result of a recommendation in the

groundbreaking Final Report of the Commission on Nursing: A Blueprint for

the Future, published in 1998, which articulated a vision of enabling nurses

and midwives, through the development of the professions, to achieve their

fullest potential at the centre of an Irish health services that had embarked

on a dynamic process of change and transformation to the benefit of the

whole community.

To this end, the purpose of the National Council, according to our mission statement, is “to promote

and develop the professional role of nurses and midwives in partnership with stake-holders in

order to support the delivery of quality nursing and midwifery care to patients/clients in a changing

healthcare environment.”

The National Council has worked in accordance with the blueprint provided by the Commission, but

has adapted it in response to and in recognition of new opportunities and resources. our strategic

approach has evolved under five main headings: the clinical career pathway; providing guidance

for and facilitating the practice environment and healthcare services; supporting continuing

professional development; supporting the use of evidence in practice; and communication with

and dissemination of information among the nursing and midwifery professions. This annual report

details the substantial further progress made in 2010 and also summarises our achievements over

the past decade.

CLiNiCAL CAREER PATHWAy

The National Council has responsibility for the development of a comprehensive clinical career

pathway for nurses and midwives and continued to take a strategic leadership approach in the

development of clinical nurse/midwife specialist posts and advanced nurse/midwife practitioner

posts. From 2000 to the end of 2010, 2,249 clinical nurse/midwife specialist posts were either

approved or were deemed to have met the National Council’s standards and criteria for approval.

This included 180 posts that were approved or met the National Council’s standards and criteria

for approval in 2010, an annual increase of 8.7%. From 2001 to the end of 2010, 154 advanced

nurse/midwife practitioner posts were either approved or met the National Council’s standards

and criteria for approval and ninety-five advanced nurse/midwife practitioners were accredited

or were deemed to have met the National Council’s standards and criteria for accreditation and

re-accreditation. seventeen posts were deemed to have met the National Council’s standards and

criteria for approval of these posts in 2010; and sixteen applicants were deemed to have met the

standards and criteria for accreditation and re-accreditation. From January 2010, the accreditation

of advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts and the registration of advanced nurse/midwife

practitioners were assigned to An Bord Altranais, and all new advanced nurse/midwife practitioner

post and post-holder applications were accepted and processed by An Bord Altranais. The

National Council continued to provide support and expert advice to services and individuals on the

development of advanced practice roles.

9

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

The National Council executive organised open days in 2010 to give service managers, potential

advanced nurse/midwife practitioners and project officers an in-depth understanding of the

application process and to meet and network with others involved in similar pursuits. More

than 440 nurses and midwives from over 100 areas have attended the open days since they

were first introduced in 2004.

The final report of a major research exercise commissioned by the National Council (An Evaluation

of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners in Ireland; the

“sCAPE Project”) was completed in 2010. This important and unprecedented study maps out

authoritatively the contribution that clinical nurse/midwife specialists and advanced nurse/midwife

practitioners are making to the health services in Ireland. The report shows that care provided

by clinical nurse/midwife specialists and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners had improved

outcomes for patients, as well as being safe and cost-neutral. The sCAPE Project also highlights the

further potential for clinical nurse/midwife specialists and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners

to support the implementation of health policy, meet the changing health needs of the population,

address patients’ needs and contribute to service reconfiguration.

PRACTiCE ENviRONMENT AND FACiLiTATiNG SERviCES

The National Council produced eight new documents in 2010, some of which built on previously

published documents. These were:

Profiles of Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners and Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists in •

Ireland. This second set of profiles documents the work and services of seventeen nurses and

midwives working in specialist and advanced practice roles, highlighting the contribution they

make to the enhanced quality of patient care and of service delivery.

Clinical Outcomes. Discussion Paper 2.• This is an update on topics and issues relating to nursing and

midwifery interventions following the publication of the resource pack and to prompt discussion

about and reflection on the complex environment in which nurses and midwives work today.

Review of Achievements, 1999–2010: Publications – Leadership, Guidance and Evidence for Best •

Practice. This review of over fifty publications by the National Council on leadership, guidance

and evidence for best practice by the National Council draws together the main strands of ten

years of service to nursing, midwifery and healthcare.

Measuring the Nursing and Midwifery Contribution (Update 4): Developing and Revising Clinical •

Outcomes for Pre-Conceptual Care of Women with Diabetes: A Midwife’s Experience. The new

update is the fourth in a series which are posted on the National Council’s website; a fifth update

will be published in January 2011.

Development and Evaluation of a Toolkit to Support Nurse and Midwife Clinical Competency and •

Competency Development Planning. Final Report. A team from the school of Nursing, Trinity

College, Dublin, in partnership with a multi-agency clinical team and the National Council’s

steering committee, tested a prototype toolkit to be used by service managers, as well as

nurses and midwives, when identifying and determining the clinical competencies required to

meet service need and match patient activity.

10

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Nurse and Midwife Clinical Competency Determination and Competency Development Planning •

Toolkit. The toolkit supports and assists services and individual nurses and midwives by outlining

the steps to be taken when identifying the competencies necessary for the successful delivery of

particular clinical services.

Key Performance Indicators. Discussion Paper 3.• The discussion paper is a resource for clinical

nurse/midwife specialists and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners wishing to articulate and

clarify their contribution to patient care. It highlights factors to be considered in the development

of key performance indicators and provides a framework that nurses and midwives might use for

this development work.

An Evaluation of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners •

in Ireland. The final report of a team of researchers from Trinity College, Dublin and the National

university of Ireland, Galway which was commissioned by the National Council to conduct further

research into the development of clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/midwife

practitioner roles and the outcomes associated with these roles.

CONTiNuiNG PROFESSiONAL DEvELOPMENT

As part of its continuing professional development programme in 2010, the National Council provided

funding to support innovation and development in practice by providing and funding additional

continuing education opportunities. Three types of programmes are supported: short continuing

education programmes, continuing education programmes, and grants for advanced nurse/midwife

practitioner post development. The National Council supported 126 short continuing education

programmes and allocated twenty-two advanced nurse/midwife practitioner post grants. Funding

was also provided for programmes that were successful under the continuing education programme

grants application process in 2008.

An electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) was developed, piloted and tested by the Royal College of surgeons

in Ireland (RCsI) to be used by students undertaking its nursing and midwifery education programmes.

The content and structure of the e-portfolio was based on the second edition of the National Council’s

Guidelines for Portfolio Development for Nurses and Midwives. The final report of an RCsI/National

Council project steering group study on the introduction of the e-portfolio was submitted to the

National Council in December 2010 and reported positive feedback from participants.

SuPPORTiNG EviDENCE FOR PRACTiCE

The Research Development officer (RDo), a joint Health Research Board/National Council appointment,

continued to profile research using the National Council’s communication channels and participated in

meetings with key stake-holders. The RDo contributed to the ongoing implementation of some of the

recommendations of the Department of Health and Children’s 2003 Research Strategy for Nursing and

Midwifery in Ireland and prepared a review of the attainments emanating from the research strategy,

which was published by the Department in 2010. Continued implementation include the successful

mid-term review of the five-year nursing and midwifery research priorities programme that emerged

from the National Council’s study of nursing and midwifery research priorities and further development

of a nursing and midwifery research database.

11

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

The National Council continued to support clinical nurse/midwife specialists and advanced nurse/

midwife practitioners to meet the research requirements of their respective roles. The National

Council’s Junior Clinician Scientist for Nursing and Midwifery award, through the HRB, allows

successful candidates to undertake a master’s degree by research or a doctoral degree on a part-

time basis; one award was completed in 2010 and another three were in progress. Five awards were

made in 2010 under an Innovative Research Development initiative to support research development

within clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/midwife practitioner roles.

COMMuNiCATiON AND DiSSEMiNATiON

The tenth national conference of the National Council was opened in November by Mary Harney,

TD, Minister for Health and Children. The conference was streamed live on the web, and key

content was subsequently placed on the National Council’s website. High standards were reflected

in the 135 individual and group posters on research, practice development projects and service

improvements that were on display.

The National Council’s website (www.ncnm.ie) has become a vital channel for information and

communication between nurses and midwives at all levels and was further enhanced and expanded

in 2010. It continued to provide the foremost resource in Ireland on the clinical career pathway, with

the relevant frameworks, latest statistics and developments in relation to clinical nurse/midwife

specialists and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners posts. The National Council provides web

development and hosting services to associations of specialist nurses and midwives free of charge,

thereby communicating their aims to a wider audience than their own resources might have allowed.

The website hosted twenty-two specialist interest groups’ websites during the year. The National

Council, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council (NIPEC), continued

to develop and manage the web-based All-Ireland Practice and Quality Development Database; by

the end of 2010, the database had 148 projects on practice and quality development initiatives by

nurses and midwives from Northern Ireland and the Republic.

The National Council’s publication, NCNM Review, reports on and assesses major developments

within the Irish health service of relevance to nurses and midwives and highlights the activities

of the National Council, as well as those of nurses and midwives. In 2010, NCNM Review was

redesigned as primarily an electronic rather than a print publication. More than 10,000 nurses,

midwives and other interested parties subscribed to the electronic edition.

The theme of our National Conference this year was Quality and Innovation – Achieving Excellence

in Patient Care and centred on the core issue of placing the public interest and the safety of patients

at the centre of the regulation and development of the professions of nursing and midwifery. We are

living in times of extreme pressure on resources – this presents us with the challenge of constantly

searching for new and innovative ways of delivering quality services that are patient centred.

It is just over two years since the publication of the Report of the Commission on Patient Safety

and Quality Assurance – Building a Culture of Patient Safety provided a call to action for all clinical

professionals in Ireland to take to heart the importance of safety and quality in the way in which

we deliver care.

12

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

The Department of Health and Children responded to this report by creating an implementation

group, responsible for ensuring that the recommendations of the Commission were enacted

and made to work. Much has already happened in this area as evidenced by the Patient safety

First initiative launched in september 2010 and was followed up by the commitment of many key

stake-holders within the health services, including the National Council, to the principles and practices

it stands for.

In addition, reform of legislation for the regulation of all clinical professions has focused on the

importance of patient safety and giving a voice to the public and patients on the regulatory decision-

making bodies. In the case of nursing and midwifery, this will be reflected in the make-up of the lay

majority board of the new regulatory body that will be created following the expected enactment

of the Nurses and Midwives Bill in 2011.

Building on the groundbreaking Report of the Commission on Nursing published in 1998, the

National Council has given leadership in setting the agenda and implementing a comprehensive

strategy for the development of the professions of nursing and midwifery in Ireland in the context

of a transformation of the Irish health services to meet the needs of a twenty-first century society. It

is and has been an honour for me to head a dedicated and enthusiastic executive staff. our success

and achievements owe much to the support and contribution of past and present chairpersons

and members of the National Council. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the dedication

and selfless commitment to service of the current chairperson Dr Laraine Joyce, her predecessor

Mr Liam Dunbar and all the members of the current and previous National Councils. I wish to

express my thanks to the Department of Health and Children and the Health service Executive

at a national level; the third-level education providers and nursing and midwifery planning and

development units at a regional level; and the managers and staff working at a local level. I believe

that the professions of nursing and midwifery are well positioned to take a leading and expanding

role within healthcare teams in meeting the opportunities and challenges of providing quality and

safe healthcare for the people of Ireland in the years ahead.

yvonne O’Shea

Chief Executive officer

the national Council, 1999-2010

A Legacy for Nursing and Midwifery in ireland

14

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

since its establishment in 1999, the National Council has been highly productive in terms of meeting

the brief set out for it by the Commission on Nursing and completing its mission. The National

Council has worked in accordance with the blueprint provided by the Commission, but has adapted

it in response to and in recognition of new opportunities and resources. The publication of the

national health strategy Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You by the Department of

Health and Children in 2001 and the launch of the health service reform programme two years later

have seen the National Council adapting promptly and efficiently to the demands of an evolving

health service and system.

The National Council has sought through its work to empower nurses and midwives to achieve

their full potential as key contributors to the health services in Ireland. The focus has been on

supporting nurses and midwives to be responsive to service need in order to build systems and care

pathways that promote integrated quality care. This is rooted in a positive culture of transparency,

accountability, probity and partnership. It is also based on an understanding of the essence of

nursing and midwifery as caring professions that are person-centred, relationship-based, holistic,

involve the education of patients, clients and service users patients and their families to promote

positive health, co-ordinates the inputs of others and is knowledge-based.

A large component of the work of the National Council has involved bringing about a coherent

approach to the progression of specialisation, and the development of the clinical career pathway at

generalist, specialist and advanced practice levels. The National Council has developed and refined

definitions and core concepts for clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/midwife

practitioner roles. These have been developed with reference to best international evidence both

from the literature and networking with international agencies that have also been engaged in

specialist and advanced practice role development. Patient safety and patient-centredness have

been key drivers for the National Council in creating processes for retaining experts in clinical

practice. The philosophy and approach of the National Council has been to empower individual

nurses and midwives through masterclasses/seminars, conferences and professional guidance, to

participate in developing new ways of providing patient care in their own areas of clinical practice

of expertise.

The National Council’s mission statement clearly influenced the way in which the organisation

has carried out its statutory roles and functions, decided upon its strategic goals and developed

the policies necessary to achieve these goals. Many changes have taken place in Ireland and in

Irish society since that mission statement was devised, not only in relation of nursing, midwifery

and healthcare, but also in relation to the ways in which public and private sector agencies and

organisations perform their roles and functions.

over time, the work of the National Council was distilled into five interconnected core activities:

the clinical career pathway; providing guidance for and facilitating the practice environment

and healthcare services; supporting continuing professional development; supporting the use

of evidence in practice; and communication with and dissemination of information among the

nursing and midwifery professions. Each of these core activities was supplemented by numerous

interdependent ancillary activities.

15

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

The level and nature of the National Council’s channels of communication with the professions

have set new standards for nurses and midwives in Ireland. In terms of face-to-face contact, the

annual national conference, the regional meetings and seminars have brought together nurses and

midwives of all grades and from different settings as contributors and participants, allowing for

sharing and cross-fertilisation of ideas and practice development. At the same time, the National

Council has become adept at using electronic information systems and information technology to

ensure as wide a dissemination of its document and resources as possible, through its website and

through electronic networking.

The National Council has served as a unique link between policy makers, health service providers

and academic institutions. It has worked to address the professional development needs of nurses

and midwives in their work to meet the needs of patients and clients of the health services. This

position has proven to be an essential element of the added value the National Council has brought

as an organisation to the task of improving health.

CLiNiCAL CAREER PATHWAy

It is the mission of the National Council to ensure that nurses and midwives can avail of

comprehensive professional development support appropriate to their own individual clinical

career pathways. The clinical career pathway is designed to ensure that nurses and midwives

working within different types of care settings and with different levels of clinical autonomy

can fulfil their professional roles. This ultimately ensures that patients are cared for by nurses

and midwives with the skills and competencies to deliver a modern integrated health service.

The clinical pathway includes staff nurses/staff midwives, clinical nurse/midwife specialists and

advanced nurse/midwife practitioners.

In the twelve years since the establishment of the National Council, major advances in the

professional development activities of nurses and midwives have been made. A clinical career

pathway is now well embedded in the system and large numbers of nurses and midwives have

benefited from focused continuing education funding. These advances have been demonstrated by

the speed at which the professions have embraced the challenges of the Health service Executive’s

(HsE’s) transformation programme and gained clinical credibility. Through the robust processes

and frameworks developed by the National Council, Ireland is now well placed to contribute to and

influence the international debate on specialist and advanced nursing and midwifery practice. This

will ensure that patients receive care from appropriately skilled nurses and midwives, whether

working at generalist, specialist or advanced practice level.

CONTRibuTiNG TO THE HEALTH SERviCE ExECuTivE’S TRANSFORMATiON PROGRAMME

In recent years, many developments have occurred in Ireland’s health services and within the wider

societal context, most notably the establishment of the HsE and the changing function of the Department

of Health and Children. The HsE’s transformation programme and changing population epidemiology

and demography have played a major role in directing how services will change to better meet the

needs of the population into the future. These are ongoing challenges for all health service providers

16

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

in planning and delivering services. The leadership, support and guidance provided by the National

Council through continuing education funding has been targeted to facilitate nurses and midwives to

meet these challenges in a structured and planned manner to maximise impact on patient pathways.

This approach has been in the interests of safe, effective and high-quality patient care.

The development of enhanced nursing and midwifery posts at generalist, specialist and advanced

practice levels has contribution to the implementation of the HsE’s transformation programme.

The processes that services have engaged in to develop these posts, which have been determined

by the National Council, have ensured that posts have been developed in line with patient and

service need and are appropriately integrated into the service to ensure positive patient outcomes

and maximum efficiency.

FuLFiLLiNG THE viSiON

In 2003, the National Council published its vision in the document Agenda for the Future Professional

Development of Nursing and Midwifery. This report benchmarked the status of the professions of

nursing and midwifery at that time and set the agenda for direction and action for the strategic

development of career pathways for the future. The Agenda provided a vision and guided the

National Council as it led the way on many important projects facilitating the development of the

clinical career pathway. The National Council’s commitment to continuing education, and working

closely with the professions, the multidisciplinary team and the services have made much, if not of

all the vision, come to become a reality.

Enhanced nursing and midwifery roles, nurse-/midwife-led services and caseload management

now seem a natural progression for the professions of nursing and midwifery. The National Council

has supported nursing and midwifery developments in important issues relevant to population

health, value for money, continuing professional development, advances in nursing and midwifery

practice and contributions to policy and legislative developments. All of these developments have

occurred in the context of an environment of patient safety and clinical governance.

The challenges outlined in the Agenda report related to the need for nurses and midwives to

embrace new methods of care delivery, engage in continuing professional development, access

education for practice and participate in nursing/midwifery research. Major progress has been

made in these areas. In particular, significant achievements have been made in the development of

advanced nurse practitioner posts in mental health, primary care, care of older persons, intellectual

disability, and public health nursing (community nursing). Development of new posts and criteria

for clinical nurse/midwife specialists and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners across the

disciplines has been facilitated by the focused application of resources and dedicated professional

development expertise offered by the National Council executive.

The National Council published its Report on the Continuing Professional Development of Staff

Nurses and Staff Midwives in 2004. It outlined the possibilities for nurses and midwives to expand

their role and scope of practice within their chosen area of work and within their own discipline.

Maintaining a live record of professional development, achievement of competence and skills

17

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

acquisition is supported by the development of a paper and web-based publication, The National

Council’s Guidelines for Portfolio Development for Nurses and Midwives, first published in 2003

(and in new editions in 2006 and 2009), has been widely used by the professions and has formed the

basis for supporting the career pathway of many nurses and midwives and those wishing to pursue

clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/midwife practitioner roles.

buiLDiNG CAPACiTy AND SuSTAiNiNG DEvELOPMENT

Continuing professional development emerged as the predominant issue in the National

Council’s Report on the Continuing Professional Development of Staff Nurses and Staff Midwives,

published in 2004. Continuing professional development assists the nursing and midwifery

professions to close the theory/practice gap and apply knowledge, as well as gain and maintain

competence and evidence to meet the challenges of future health services requirements.

Continuing professional development is a lifelong process, which includes both structured and

informal activities that may include formal education programmes, participation in journal clubs,

case-conferencing, clinical supervision, learning sets, preceptorship, mentorship, workshops,

distance learning programmes and reflection on practice. It encompasses processes, activities

and experiences that contribute towards the development of a nurse or midwife, both personally

and professionally. Continuing professional development is essential for nurses and midwives in

order to support them to deliver high quality care which promotes patient safety and maintains

engagement in clinical audit. It is essential to support competency development and competency

maintenance.

since the publication of the Report of the Commission on Nursing in 1998, there has been

considerable progress in providing continuing professional development for nurses and midwives

in Ireland. The National Council has generated a culture of continuing professional development

where skills acquisition and knowledge transfer are common features of the professions of nursing

and midwifery. The conduit for this knowledge generation is the relationship that has developed

between a strategic, dedicated agency and engaged, willing and motivated professions. Through

its publications, guidance and targeted funding, the National Council has been contributing to

knowledge development, translation, exchange, mobilisation and expertise.

RESEARCH AND EviDENCE iNTO PRACTiCE

The National Council’s commitment to research facilitation and its contribution towards the

nursing and midwifery research agenda have had two major components. The first relates to

research funding and the policy agenda. The second involves being an information conduit – getting

research into practice, and facilitating the development of a culture of evidence-based nursing

and midwifery practice. The joint appointment in 2002 of a research development officer/nursing

research advisor at the National Council and Health Research Board has provided a cohesive

approach to developing each strand of the National Council’s research agenda.

The National Council has played a major role in progressing the aims and objectives of the research

agenda and, through its various activities, has significantly built research capacity for nursing and

18

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

midwifery. The approach has been to maximise research activities through partnership working

and stakeholder involvement. The recommendations of the Department of Health and Children’s

Research Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in Ireland have been achieved. This has been essential

to ensuring that nurses and midwives engage meaningfully with research in order to deliver

evidence-based practice.

NATiONAL COuNCiL PubLiCATiONS

The National Council’s publications represent a decade of innovation, development and achievement.

In 2010, the National Council published its Review of Achievements, 1999–2010. Publications –

Leadership, Guidance and Evidence for Best Practice. over the past decade, the National Council

has produced well over fifty different publications (excluding the NCNM Review and annual reports)

and availed of different formats and forums to ensure that they were disseminated among those

who would find them most useful. The annual national conference has facilitated the distribution

of National Council publications among front-line nurses and midwives, while the dynamic and

expansive website (www.ncnm.ie) has become a powerful means of sharing resources.

The numerous research reports by the National Council, its position papers, discussion papers,

resource packs, framework documents and handbooks have been distributed, acted upon and cited

in Ireland and abroad. They are the sum of many parts: the interests and needs of nurses and

midwives working in all grades and sectors, evidence for practice and healthcare policy, to name

but a few. They reflect the changes that have taken place in Ireland and their impact on the health

system as a whole and on nurses and midwives in particular.

A SOLiD FOuNDATiON FOR THE FuTuRE

This review identifies the work of the National Council over the period 1999–2010. It chronicles

the successes and achievements that have built a solid foundation for sustainable nursing and

midwifery developments into the future. This has occurred in a time of major change within the

Irish health system and the increasing need to maximise resources in order to demonstrate value

for money. The rate at which the National Council has driven, led and facilitated developments in

nursing and midwifery has had major influences on the healthcare agenda in Ireland and abroad. It

has consistently carried out its statutory functions and ancillary tasks in keeping with the principles

of good governance and value for money.

The philosophy and approach of the National Council has been to empower individual nurses

and midwives and services through masterclasses, conferences and professional guidance to

participate in developing new ways of providing patient care in their own area of expertise. Crucial

to the National Council’s success has been working in partnership with service organisations.

Much of that work has been developmental, involving the building of capacity with services so

that change is continuous and sustained. National Council activities have been undertaken in close

19

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

co-operation and collaboration with nurses and midwives working at local, regional and national

levels, both in the healthcare and education sectors, and with key health-related agencies. The

National Council has added value by providing and facilitating leadership in the development of

the professions of nursing and midwifery in a manner that responds to service need and is patient/

client-centred. Its work has been evidence-based and driven by a quality agenda.

The healthcare system as a whole has benefited from the capacity for implementing policy,

integrating evidence into practice and providing transformational leadership that has been built

within the nursing and midwifery workforce with the support of the National Council. ultimately

and most importantly, patients and health service users have been the main beneficiaries.

A full account of the National Council’s achievements is provided in Review of Achievements,

1999–2009 and Review of Achievements, 1999–2010: Publications – Leadership, Guidance

and Evidence for Best Practice, both of which are available on the National Council’s website

(www.ncnm.ie).

Activities & Achievements of the National Council, 1999-2010

Much has been already written elsewhere in this document about the activities and achievements of the National Council in the period 1999–2010. A substantial body of work has been completed in that time and the National Council is proud of its record and the legacy it has bequeathed to nurses and midwives in Ireland. The following timeline shows the chronology of the activities undertaken by the National Council under the headings of its five core areas of work.

Publication of the ` Report of the Commission on Nursing

National Council members `develop original mission statement and commence recruitment of executive staff

National Council members `develop definition and core concepts for CNss/CMss and ANPs/AMPs; outline immediate, intermediate and future pathways for CNss/CMss

Immediate pathway `commences

Agreement between `National Council and An Bord Altranais to commence review of prescribing and administration of medicinal products by nurses and midwives

sI No 376 of 1999 establishes `the National Council and assigns five statutory functions

First cohort of National `Council Members appointed for 5-year term

First cohort of executive staff take up `posts

First editions of frameworks for CNs/ `CMs and ANP/AMP posts published

Immediate clinical career pathway `closes and intermediate pathway commences

Databases of CNs/CMs and ANP/AMP `posts developed

1,111 CNs/CMs posts approved `

Aid to developing CNs/CMs job `descriptions and profiles published

First ANP post approved `

Terms of reference, project plan ànd budget agreed; project team appointed

Frameworks for clinical specialists and àdvanced practitioners require post-holders to demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development

Criteria and processes for allocating `funding developed and published

Funding of programmes commences `

Work begins on a web-based directory òf courses relevant to nurses and midwives

Frameworks for clinical specialists ànd advanced practitioners require post-holders to have research and audit skills

National Council invites specialist `groups to set up their own sites to be hosted on www.ncnm.ie

The Development of Nursing and `Midwifery in Ireland – Building on the Blueprint (2-day conference featuring oral and poster presentations)

CoRe ACtivitiesClinical Career pathway:

Clinical nurse/midwife specialists

Advanced nurse/midwife practitioners

practice environment and facilitating services: Nurse and midwife prescribing

Continuing professional Development: Continuing education funding

supporting evidence for practice:

Communication and Dissemination: National Council’s newsletter | Collaboration with national, regional and other agencies |

National Council’s website | National conference

1998 1999 2000 2001

A DeCADe of pRogRessC

ON

TE

XT

Clin

iCa

l Ca

reer

Pat

hw

ayPr

aCt

iCe

envi

ron

men

t a

nd

Fa

Cili

tati

ng

Ser

viCe

SCo

nti

nu

ing

Pro

FeSS

ion

al

dev

elo

Pmen

tSu

PPo

rtin

g e

vid

enCe

Fo

r Pr

aCt

iCe

Com

mu

niC

atio

n a

nd

d

iSSe

min

atio

n



Development of guidelines for courses àimed at preparing nurses and midwives for clinical specialist and advanced practitioner roles


3 ANP posts approved; 4 ANPs accredited `

Criteria for selection of pilot sites, `collaborative prescribing and education programme agreed by steering committee; sub-committee established to revise guidance on administration of medical preparations and to develop a nurse/midwife prescribing education programme; medication management seminars delivered

Web-based courses database is launched; `guidance leaflet published

First masterclass held `

National Council appoints research `development officer with key role in implementation of national nursing/midwifery research strategy

Consultation begins for a discussion `document on future developments in nursing and midwifery

Building on the Health Strategy: Challenges `for Nurses and Midwives (2-day conference featuring oral and poster presentations)

second cohort of National Council members àppointed for 5-year term; sI 800 of 2004 published

National Council commences ìmplementation of 3-year strategic plan (2004-2006)

second edition of CNs/CMs framework `published, incorporating job description aid, application forms and more detail on core concepts and associated competencies


Report on evaluation of effectiveness of `clinical specialists published

second edition of ANP/AMP framework `published, incorporating more explicit guidance and templates for applications


Project extended by 6 months; needs àssessment of nurse and midwife prescribing conducted; preparation of final report commenced

Report on the Continuing Professional `Development of Staff Nurses and Staff Midwives published

RDo continues implementation of research `strategy

Consultation begins for a discussion `document on future developments in public health nursing

Nurses and Midwives: Proactive in `Professional Development to Support Change (2-day conference featuring oral and poster presentations; separate research poster competition held)

Protocol developed for obtaining ìnformation about CNs/CMs and ANP/AMP posts for research purposes


Evaluation of CNs/CMs posts commences `


Pilot sites selected; criteria for collaborative `prescribing and selection of education programme agreed; 6-month education programme delivered

Agenda for the Future Professional `Development of Nursing and Midwifery published

Guidelines for Portfolio Development for `Nurses and Midwives published in paper and electronic formats

Continuing education funding application `forms are revised; applicants requested to outline sustainability of programmes

RDo begins implementation of nursing/ `midwifery research strategy

Achieving Strategic Outcomes: The Ìnterdisciplinary Challenge (2-day conference featuring oral and poster presentations)

2002–2009 Continued processing of applications under the intermediate pathway

2002 2003 2004

2002–2010 CNs/CMs and ANP/AMP statistics published monthly on website

2001–2010 Executive staff make presentations to services, specialist groups and course participants

2001-2010 Funding allocated to continuing education programmes

2003–2005 Research in progress into nursing and midwifery research activity in Ireland

2001–2010 National Council newsletter distributed to all registered nurses and midwives and to other stake-holders

2001–2010 Website develops2002–2010 Networking with nurses working in intellectual disability services develops

2000-2005 Review of Nurses and Midwives in the Prescribing and Administration of Medicinal Products

strategic plan (2004-2006) `


Guidelines for ANP/AMP portfolios `developed


Clinical Nurse Specialist and Advanced `Nurse Practitioner Roles in Intellectual Disability Nursing published

Work begins on the development of àn e-learning package on medication management

Improving the Patient Journey: Ùnderstanding Integrated Care Pathways published

Guidelines for Portfolio Development for `Nurses and Midwives (2nd edn) published in paper and electronic formats

National Council commences Junior `Clinician scientist Award for Nursing and Midwifery through the Health Research Board

An Evaluation of the Extent of Measurement òf Nursing and Midwifery Interventions in Ireland published

Report on Baseline Survey of Research Àctivity in Irish Nursing and Midwifery published

All-Ireland Practice and Quality Development òn-line database goes live

All-Ireland Practice and Quality Development `Database Guide published

Developing Services for Patients and Clients: `Nurses and Midwives Promoting Innovation and Change (2-day conference featuring oral and poster presentations)

National Council commences ìmplementation of 3-year strategic plan (2007-2009); functions organised under 5 new headings

Third edition of CNs/CMs framework `published, introducing change requirements for applicants and employers


Third edition of ANP/AMP framework `published, incorporating more explicit guidance and templates for applications


Clinical Nurse Specialist and Advanced `Nurse Practitioner Roles in Older Person Nursing published

Guide to Medication Management ` e-learning programme launched jointly with ABA and HsE; National Council prepares The Introduction of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing in Ireland: An Overview for DoHC, ABA and HsE; 50 nurses and midwives complete first Certificate in Nursing (Nurse/Midwife Prescribing)

Criteria and processes for the allocation of àdditional funding for continuing education revised; 3 new types of grants introduced

National Council commences research into `the role of nurses and midwives in clinical research

Team-Working to Support Excellence in `Patient Care (2-day conference featuring oral and poster presentations and new Q&A session with expert panel)



A Preliminary Evaluation of the Role of the Àdvanced Nurse Practitioner published


“open days” commence providing advice, `guidance and networking for groups and individuals developing ANP/AMP posts

Clinical Nurse Specialist and Advanced `Nurse Practitioner Roles in Emergency Departments published

Final report published on review of nurse ànd midwife prescribing and administration of medicinal products; National Council and ABA agree to collaborate on implementing recommendations and develop a 3-year project plan

Service Needs Analysis for Clinical Nurse/ `Midwife Specialist and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner Posts published

Further revision of continuing education `funding application forms takes place

Research conducted into joint appointments `

Nursing and Midwifery Research Priorities `for Ireland published

An Evaluation of the Extent and Nature of `Nurse-Led/Midwife-Led Services in Ireland published

Agenda for the Future Professional `Development of Public Health Nursing published

Research into nursing and midwifery ìnterventions in Ireland commences

The Development of Joint Appointments: A `Framework for Irish Nursing and Midwifery published

Innovation for the Health Services: Nurses ànd Midwives Promoting Change (2-day conference featuring oral and poster presentations)

2001–2010 Executive staff and special facilitator provide assistance to nursing and midwifery development units in processing of CNs/CMs applications

2005 2006 2007

2002–2010 Continued development of CNs/CMs and ANP/AMP databases

2005-2010 ANP/AMP “open days” held

2001–2010 Assistance provided to nursing and midwifery development units in processing of continuing education funding applications

2002-2009 Continued development of web-based courses database

2002–2010 specialist group websites hosted by National Council

2004–2007 National Council negotiates 4 train-the-trainer programmes in finding and appraising evidence; delivery facilitated by NMPDus

2001–2010 Regional meetings held in health board/HsE areas in collaboration with nursing and midwifery planning and development units

2003–2010 National Council develops links with newly established centres of nurse/midwife education

2007–2010 New continuing education funding grant supports facilitators to prepare ANP/AMP posts

24

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

CO

NT

EX

TClin

iCal Ca

reer Pathw

ayPra

CtiCe enviro

nm

ent a

nd

Fa

Cilitating

ServiCeSCo

ntin

uin

g Pro

FeSSion

al

develo

Pmen

tSu

PPortin

g evid

enCe

For Pra

CtiCeCo

mm

un

iCation

an

d

diSSem

inatio

n

Third cohort of National Council members àppointed


2,069 CNs/CMs posts approved by 28th Feb, `67 posts met standards and criteria

137 ANP/AMP posts approved/met standards ànd criteria; 87 ANPs/AMPs accredited/met standards and criteria

Service Needs Analysis: Informing Business ànd Service Plans published

Guidelines for Portfolio Development for `Nurses and Midwives (3rd edn) published in paper and electronic formats

Final update of courses database `

Irish Nursing and Midwifery Research `Database launched on National Council website

sCAPE Project continues; interim report `completed

Guidance on the Adaptation of Clinical `Practice Guidelines: Getting Evidence into Practice published

Report on the attainments of the Research `Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in Ireland (2003-2008) prepared for DoHC

Research commences into identifying and `determining clinical competencies required to meet service need and match patient activity

Guide to the NCNM Online Research `Database published

New section ` (Measuring the Nursing and Midwifery Contribution) developed for nurses and midwives interested in interventions and outcomes measurement

Clinical Excellence: Safety, Quality and Èvidence (I-day conference featuring oral and poster presentations and Q&A session with expert panel; conference streamed live)


Fourth edition of CNs/CMs framework `published, signalling commencement of “future” clinical career pathway in 2010


Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Role `Resource Pack published in paper and CD-RoM with HsE

Fourth edition of ANP/AMP framework `published; details relating to accreditation and re-accreditation of ANPs/AMPs published separately

120 ANP posts approved; 69 ANPs/AMPs àccredited

Enhanced Nursing Practice in Emergency `Departments and Profiles of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners in Ireland published

National Council facilitates information `sessions on project; Final Report of the Implementation of the Review of Nurses and Midwives in the Prescribing and Administration of Medicinal Products published

Discussion paper on clinical supervision `published

Position paper on enhanced midwifery `practice published

Development of on-line research database `commenced

National Council commissions major 2-year èvaluation of CNs/CMs and ANP/AMP roles (sCAPE Project); terms of reference agreed

Report on the Role of the Nurse or Midwife in `Medical-Led Clinical Research published

Integrated Health Services/Systems `Supporting Patient Care Pathways (I-day conference featuring oral and poster presentations and Q&A session with expert panel; live streaming of conference initiated)

sI 3 of 2010 published `

“Future” clinical career pathway `commences

2,249 CNs/CMs posts approved or `met standards and criteria

154 ANP/AMP posts approved/met `standards and criteria; 95 ANPs/AMPs accredited/met standards and criteria

More profiles of CNss/CMss and ÀNPs/AMPs published

Call made for Innovative Research `Development Initiative

Entry of submissions continues `

sCAPE Project completed; final `report approved

Discussion paper on clinical òutcomes published

Discussion paper on developing key `performance indicators for CNss/CMss and ANPs/AMPs approved for publication

Nurse and Midwife Clinical `Competency Determination and Competency Development Planning Toolkit approved for publication

Quality and Innovation: Achieving Èxcellence in Clinical Care (I-day conference featuring oral and poster presentations; conference streamed live; lunchtime masterclasses included)

2008 2009 2010 2011

2003–2010 National Council hosts masterclasses/ seminars for specially targeted groups

2006-2010 Entry of submissions on All-Ireland Quality and Practice Development Database

2007–2010 Junior Clinician scientist Award for Nursing and Midwifery continues

2003–2010 Regular meetings held with heads of third-level schools of nursing and midwifery

2003–2010 National Council develops links with newly established centres of nurse/midwife education

2005-2008 Implementation of the Review of Nurses and Midwives in the Prescribing and Administration of Medicinal Products

2007–2010 New continuing education funding grant supports facilitators to prepare ANP/AMP posts

25

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

the Role and functions of the national Council

The National Council was established in November 1999 on foot of a statutory Instrument (No 376,

30 November 1999) from the Minister for Health and Children and entitled The National Council

for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (Establishment) Order, 1999. A further

statutory Instrument (sI) entitled The National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing

and Midwifery (Establishment) Order, 1999 (Amendment) Order, 2004 (sI No 800) was published in

November 2004.

As stated in the sI No 376 (section 4), the functions of the National Council are:

To monitor the on-going development of nursing and midwifery specialities, taking into account a .

changes in practice and service need;

To formulate guidelines for the assistance of health boards and other relevant bodies in the b .

creation of specialist nursing and midwifery posts;

To support additional developments in continuing nurse education by health boards and c .

voluntary organisations;

To assist health service providers by setting guidelines for the selection of nurses and midwives d .

who might apply for financial support in seeking opportunities to pursue further education;

To publish an annual report on its activities, including the disbursement of monies by the e .

Council.

These functions reflect five of those recommended by the Commission on Nursing (par 6.14).2

In January 2010, sI No 3 of 2010 (Health (An Bord Altranais) (Additional Functions) Order 2010)

effectively assigned additional functions to An Bord Altranais, namely the accreditation of advanced

nurse/midwife practitioner posts and the registration of advanced nurse/midwife practitioners.

Accordingly, all paper and electronic files held by the National Council in relation to advanced nurse/

midwife practitioner posts and post-holders were transferred to An Bord Altranais to facilitate the

implementation of the Nurses Rules signed by the Minister for Health and Children in June 2010.

The current core activities of the National Council can be categorised under the following

headings:

Clinical Career Pathway•

Practice Environment and Facilitating services•

Continuing Professional Development•

supporting Evidence for Practice•

Communication and Dissemination.•

2. Government of Ireland (1998). Report of the Commission on Nursing: A Blueprint for the Future. Dublin, stationery office.

27

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

health service Reform programme

While pursuing its own mission in 2010, the National Council simultaneously took direction from

the mission statement of the Department of Health and Children (DoHC) and from the goals of the

Health service Executive (HsE). The former’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of

people in Ireland in a manner that promotes better health for everyone, fair access, responsive and

appropriate care delivery, and high performance (Statement of Strategy, 2008–2010, May 2008).

The high-level objectives of the DoHC for 2008 to 2010 concerned policy and corporate support,

children and families, primary care, cancer control, acute hospitals, disability and mental health,

and care of older people.

The HsE’s National Service Plan for 2010 was concerned with translating the vision, mission and

objectives of its Corporate Plan, 2008–2011 into actions and deliverables, particularly in relation to

integration of services. The main drivers of the National Service Plan were population changes,

economic constraint, changing health technology, and consumer experience and expectations. The

planning principles of the Plan were delivering quality and safe sustainable services, reconfiguration

of core services, further development of clinicians’ roles, value of money, development of a flexible

workforce, and reduced expenditure.

Although impending change and economic constraint were the order of the day in 2010, the National

Council continued to encourage nurses and midwives to strive for excellence in service delivery

to patients and clients and to measure and demonstrate their contribution to this service delivery.

These themes and topics featured prominently in the work and publications of the National Council

throughout the year.

28

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

governance and Regulation Compliance

The National Council endeavours to achieve best practice in administrative and human resource

procedures. As a statutory body with independent and legal status the National Council is governed

in its work by legislative enactments and other requirements. These include:

The Ethics in Public Office Acts, 1995• and 2001

The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, 2001 • and 2009

The Standards in Public Office Act, 2001•

Framework for Corporate and Financial Governance for Regulatory Bodies under the Aegis of •

the Department of Health and Children (Department of Health and Children, 2006)

The Data Protection Acts, 1988• and 2003

The Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997•

European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations, 2002• (sI No

388/2002)

European Communities (Energy End-Use Efficiency And Energy Services) Regulations, 2009 • (sI

No 542/2009).

The National Council has taken all actions necessary to ensure that it complies fully with its legal

and governance requirements.

board of the national Council

The Board of the National Council is required to hold no fewer than four meetings annually. The

Board met on six occasions in 2010. Attendance at those meetings is recorded in the table below.

Attendance at Meetings of the board of the National Council, 2010

Member Scheduled Attendance Attendance

Dr Laraine Joyce 6 3

Ms Valerie small 6 6

Ms Maura Nash 6 1

Mr Brendan Byrne 6 3

Ms Antoinette Doocey 6 2

Ms Aveen Murray 6 5

Mr Patrick Hume 6 3

Ms Jacqueline Burke 6 6

Ms Mary Brosnan 6 5

Mrs Anne Carrigy 6 1

Ms Marie Keane 6 5

Ms sheila o’Malley 6 4

Mr Tony Morris 6 2

Prof Pearl Treacy 6 2

Ms Bernie Quillinan 6 2

Dr siobhan o’Halloran 6 0

Ms Marie Tighe 6 5

Dr Gary Brown 6 4

Ms Maureen Kington 6 3

Dr Ailis Ní Riain 6 1

29

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Committees of the national Council

Throughout its life-span, the National Council has set up committees comprising Council members

with the expertise necessary to advise on various aspects of its operations. These committees and

their respective roles are listed below.

The Committees of the National Council

Title Role

Audit and Risk Management Committee Provides an independent assessment of the integrity of the financial controls in place to identify and manage any risks

Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Midwife Practitioner Portfolio – standards and Criteria Committee3

Makes recommendations regarding the suitability or otherwise of candidates for advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts

Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Midwife Practitioner Posts – standards and Criteria Committee3

Makes recommendations regarding the suitability or otherwise of advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts

Continuing Education Committee Makes recommendations regarding the suitability or otherwise of applications for continuing education grants

Clinical Nurse/Midwife specialist and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner Committee

Deliberates on matters pertaining to the clinical career pathway

3. The two committees dealing with advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts and portfolios were disbanded following the signing of An Bord Altranais’s Nurses Rules, 2010 by the Minister for Health and Children in June 2010.

Activities Report

31

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Activities Report

This activities report is arranged with reference to the National Council’s core activities, namely:

Clinical Career Pathway•

Practice Environment and Facilitating services•

Continuing Professional Development•

supporting Evidence for Practice•

Communication and Dissemination•

32

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Clinical Career pathway

Clinical nurse/Midwife specialist posts

In accordance with its statutory function, the National Council continued to monitor clinical nurse/

midwife specialist posts at a national level in partnership with the eight nursing and midwifery

planning and development units. Figure 1 illustrates the growth of post numbers between 2001 and

2010. By 31st December 2010, 2,249 clinical nurse/midwife specialist posts had either been approved

or been deemed to have met the National Council’s standards and criteria for approval (see Tables

1 and 2).

Figure 1 . Growth of Clinical Nurse/Midwife specialist Posts (Approved and Deemed to Have Met the National Council’s standards and Criteria), June 2001 to 31st December 2010 (Immediate and Intermediate Pathways Combined)

PO

ST

S

2200

2000

1800

1600

1400

1200

1000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

yEAR

1111

1400

1494

1606

1723

18301891

2032

2136

2249

33

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Table 1 . Clinical Nurse/Midwife specialist Posts Approved up to 28th February 2009

Health Service Executive Area

Practising Division of the Register

Children’s General intellectual Disability

Midwifery Psychiatry TOTAL

Dublin & Mid-Leinster (Dublin City, south of the Liffey, south Co Dublin, Kildare and Baltinglass)

66 228 27 16 63 400

Dublin & Mid-Leinster (Counties Laois, Longford, offaly and Westmeath)

- 60 3 2 29 94

Dublin & Mid-Leinster (south of Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, and Co Wicklow except Baltinglass)

- 46 1 - 37 84

Dublin & North-East (Counties Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan)

1 108 10 5 56 180

Dublin & North-East (Dublin City, North of the Liffey and Fingal)

32 139 22 16 78 287

south (Counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary (south Riding), Waterford and Wexford)

- 113 2 2 45 162

south (Counties Cork and Kerry)

1 217 30 13 60 321

West (Counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary (North Riding, including Thurles)

1 104 17 4 45 171

West (Counties Donegal, Leitrim and sligo)

5 92 10 3 48 158

West (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon)

1 111 10 4 68 194

TOTAL 107 1218 132 65 529 2051

34

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Table 2 . Clinical Nurse/Midwife specialist Posts Deemed to Have Met the National Council’s standards and Criteria (28 February 2009 to 31 December 2010)

Health Service Executive Area

Practising Division of the Register

Children’s General intellectual Disability

Midwifery Psychiatry TOTAL

Dublin & Mid-Leinster (Dublin City, south of the Liffey, south Co Dublin, Kildare and Baltinglass)

8 33 - 2 9 52

Dublin & Mid-Leinster (Counties Laois, Longford, offaly and Westmeath)

- 6 - - 12 18

Dublin & Mid-Leinster (south of Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, and Co Wicklow except Baltinglass)

1 3 - - - 4

Dublin & North-East (Counties Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan)

- 15 6 2 2 25

Dublin & North-East (Dublin City, North of the Liffey and Fingal)

3 24 1 4 11 43

south (Counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary (south Riding), Waterford and Wexford)

- 3 - - 1 4

south (Counties Cork and Kerry) 1 17 1 - 3 22

West (Counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary (North Riding, including Thurles)

- 9 - - - 9

West (Counties Donegal, Leitrim and sligo)

- 4 - - - 4

West (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon)

- 14 - 2 1 17

TOTAL 13 128 8 10 39 198

since 2001 the criteria for clinical nurse/midwife post-holders have included the requirement for

the person to be educated to higher diploma level or above (i.e., level 8 or above on the National

Qualifications Authority of Ireland’s (NQAI) National Framework of Qualifications) or to undertake

a contractual agreement to obtain a relevant higher diploma within three years of taking up the

post. Published in November 2008, the fourth edition of the Framework for the Establishment of

Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts signalled the requirement for applicants for clinical nurse/

midwife specialist posts to have obtained a post-registration NQAI level-8 (or higher) (major award)

qualification. Implementation of this requirement commenced on 1st september 2010, from which

date post applicants were required to have attained the stated level of qualification.

35

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Advanced nurse/Midwife practitioner posts

ADvANCED NuRSE/MiDWiFE PRACTiTiONER POSTS AND POST-HOLDERS

At the end of 2010, 154 advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts either had been approved or had

been deemed to have met the National Council’s standards and criteria for approval since 2000; in the

same period ninety-five advanced nurse/midwife practitioners either were accredited or were deemed

to have met the National Council’s standards and criteria for accreditation and re-accreditation.

seventeen advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts were deemed to have met the National Council’s

standards and criteria for approval of these posts in 2010; and sixteen applicants were deemed to have

met the standards and criteria for accreditation and re-accreditation (see Table 3).

Table 3 . Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner Post Job Descriptions and site Preparation Deemed to Have Met the National Council’s standards and Criteria for Post Approval in 2010

Title of Post(s) Location of Post(s)Number of Posts

Dementia Care Clare Mental Health services, Gort Rd, Ennis, Co Clare 1

Emergency Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis, Co Clare 1

Emergency Wexford General Hospital 3

Emergency Waterford Regional Hospital 2

Emergency Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis, Co Clare 2

Emergency Mid Western Regional General Hospital, Limerick 2

Forensic Mental Health Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin 14 1

Heart Failure Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 1

ophthalmology Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Rd, Dublin 2 1

Recovery and Rehabilitation in Mental Health Care

Limerick Mental Health services, st Joseph’s Hospital, Limerick

1

Recovery and Rehabilitation in Psychosis East Galway Mental Health services, Ballinasloe, Co Galway 1

Rehabilitation of the older Person st Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork 1

TOTAL 17

TRANSFER OF ADvANCED NuRSE/MiDWiFE PRACTiTiONER FiLES

In January 2010, the statutory Instrument (sI) No 3 of 2010 (Health (An Bord Altranais) (Additional

Functions) Order 2010) effectively assigned additional functions to An Bord Altranais, namely the

accreditation of advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts and the registration of advanced nurse/

midwife practitioners. Accordingly, all paper and electronic files held by the National Council in

relation to advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts and post-holders were transferred to An

Bord Altranais in line with section 2A (1)(c)(ii) and section 2B (1)(b)(vi)(11) of the Data Protection

Acts of 1988 and 2003. As of 31st August An Bord Altranais became the data controller in relation

to these files. All advanced nurse/midwife practitioners, advanced nurse/midwife practitioner

candidates and directors of nursing and midwifery were informed of the file transfer. All advanced

36

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

nurse/midwife practitioner post and post-holder applications are now accepted and processed by

An Bord Altranais. The National Council has continued to provide support and expert advice to

services and individuals on the development of advanced practice roles.

DEvELOPMENT OF ADvANCED NuRSE/MiDWiFE PRACTiTiONER POSTS

Continuing education grants for the development of advanced nurse/midwife practitioner roles

continued to be awarded in 2009 (see Practice Environment and Facilitating Services, Continuing

Professional Development and Appendix 3).

In the first half of 2010 the National Council executive continued to run open days, which afforded

service managers, potential advanced nurse/midwife practitioners and project officers with

opportunities to obtain an in-depth understanding of the advanced nurse/midwife practitioner

post application process and to meet and network with others involved in similar pursuits. Those

attending met the National Council executive staff and received feedback and advice on developing

advanced nurse/midwife practitioner roles in their respective services throughout the year.

Three open days were offered in 2010, bringing the total number to sixty-one since their

introduction in 2004, with a cumulative attendance of over 440 nurses and midwives from over 100

areas. Feedback from participants continued to be very positive, with most stating that they had

acquired a clearer understanding of the process and had benefited from meeting others involved

in developing advanced nurse/midwife practitioner roles. These open days were augmented by

master-classes and seminars (see Continuing Professional Development and Communication and

Contact) which provided an opportunity for nurses and midwives at all levels to hear and interact

with advanced nurse/midwife practitioners, advanced nurse/midwife practitioner candidates and

project officers who have developed advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts.

37

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

evaluation of Clinical nurse/Midwife specialists and Advanced nurse/Midwife practitioners

The establishment of the clinical career pathway is a function vested in the National Council

(see The Role and Functions of the National Council). since its introduction in 2001, the National

Council has developed definitions, core concepts and competencies for the roles of clinical nurse/

midwife specialist and advanced nurse/midwife practitioner. It has approved clinical nurse/midwife

specialist and advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts, accredited advanced nurse/midwife

practitioners and maintained a national database of posts and post-holders. At the end of 2010,

2,249 clinical nurse/midwife specialist and 154 advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts had

been either approved or deemed to have met the National Council’s standards and criteria for

approval since 2000; in the same period ninety-five advanced nurse/midwife practitioners were

accredited or deemed to have met the National Council’s standards and criteria for accreditation

and re-accreditation.

The effectiveness of clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/midwife practitioner

roles were evaluated on a preliminary basis in 2004 and 2005 respectively, but in light of subsequent

developments that have taken place within the health service it was considered timely to conduct

further research into the development of clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/

midwife practitioner roles and the outcomes associated with these roles. In December 2008 the

National Council awarded a tender to a team comprising researchers from the schools of Nursing

and Midwifery at Trinity College, Dublin and the National university of Ireland, Galway. Their task

was to conduct a focused evaluation of clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/

midwife practitioner roles in Ireland with reference to the following terms:

To review the literature on the evaluation of healthcare interventions with specific reference to •

the study aim;

To undertake original data collection which will evaluate the clinical outcomes, service delivery •

(i.e., the service process) and economic implications of the clinical nurse/midwife specialist

and advanced nurse/midwife practitioner;

To compare a number of sites which have clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/•

midwife practitioner services with those that do not have such services;

To develop, as part of the deliverables, a validated tool which can be used in future studies to •

determine outcomes for clinical services of clinical nurse/midwife specialists and advanced

nurse/midwife practitioners; and

To provide interim and final reports. •

An interim report presented to a meeting of the National Council in November 2009 provided

information on the progress of the evaluation of effectiveness of clinical nurse/midwife and

advanced nurse/midwife practitioner roles (the sCAPE Project). The literature review and concept

analysis had been completed and the identification of clinical outcomes was progressing by means

of focus groups, individual interviews with stake-holders and a Delphi survey with clinical nurse/

midwife specialists and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners. The case study commenced on 23rd

38

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

November at the agreed clinical sites and comprised the collection of original data from which

the clinical outcomes and economic implications of the clinical nurse/midwife specialist and the

advanced nurse/midwife practitioner would be evaluated. A number of sites with clinical nurse/

midwife specialist and advanced nurse/midwife practitioner services were compared with those

that did not have such services. The research methods included observation at clinical sites,

documentary analysis, interviews with service users and/or family members and carers, interviews

with key stake-holders, a survey of service users and an economic evaluation.

The final report on the sCAPE Project (An Evaluation of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists and

Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners in Ireland, Begley et al, 2010) was approved by the National

Council on 6th December 2010. The study demonstrated that care provided by clinical nurse/midwife

specialists and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners had improved outcomes for patients, as well

as being safe and cost-neutral. The sCAPE Project has also demonstrated the potential that exists

within clinical nurse/midwife specialists and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners to support

the implementation of health policy, meet the changing health needs of the population, address

patients’ needs and contribute to service reconfiguration. In their own professional spheres, they

have displayed the nursing and midwifery leadership capacity required for the introduction of

care models and care programmes within the Health service Executive and, potentially, within

other health services. This leadership has translated to more everyday and commonplace

steps, such as using and disseminating evidence-based clinical guidelines that support a safe

environment for patients. Tables 4 and 5 show the main findings of the evaluation in relation to

clinical nurse/midwife specialists’ and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners’ roles respectively.

39

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Table 4 . The Evaluation of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Roles: Main Findings from the SCAPE Project4

The clinical nurse/midwife specialist’s caseload involves working with the multidisciplinary team

to provide specialised assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care utilising protocol-

driven guidelines. The clinical nurse/midwife specialist’s role maximises the team’s impact on

patient outcomes. Care and caseload management are delivered in line with the core concepts

of their role: clinical focus, patient/client advocacy, education and training, audit and research,

and consultancy.

Clinical care is a significant component of the clinical nurse/midwife specialist’s role here in

Ireland. This differs in other countries, particularly in the usA, where it has been shown that

such specialists have limited contact with patients/clients.

Evidence from the sCAPE project demonstrated that clinical nurse/midwife specialists:

Reduced morbidity•

Decreased waiting times•

Facilitated earlier access to care•

Decreased re-admission rates•

Increased evidence-based practice•

Increased the use of clinical guidelines by the multidisciplinary team•

Increased continuity of care•

Increased patient/client satisfaction•

Increased communication with patients/clients and families•

Promoted self-management among patients/clients•

Worked to expand and develop practice (many clinical nurse/midwife specialists were •

working towards advanced nurse/midwife practitioner roles)

Had significant multidisciplinary team support for their roles•

Provided clinical leadership •

Conducted clinical audit (53% conducted research).•

overall, there were no additional costs for clinical nurse/midwife specialist services (staff costs

and activity levels for clinical nurse/midwife specialist and non-clinical nurse/midwife specialist

services were matched. Clinical nurse/midwife specialist services had decreased costs for

colposcopy and challenging behaviour).

4. Further details can be found in the final report on the sCAPE Project (An Evaluation of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners in Ireland, Begley et al, December 2010).

40

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Table 5 . The Evaluation of Advanced Nurse Practitioners’ Roles5: Main Findings from the SCAPE Project (Strong and very Strong Evidence)6

The advanced nurse practitioner’s caseload involves holistic assessment, diagnosis, autonomous

decision-making regarding treatment, provision of interventions and discharge from a full

episode of care. Care delivery and caseload management are provided by advanced nurse

practitioners in line with the core concepts of their role: autonomy in clinical practice, expert

practice, professional and clinical leadership, and research.

The required educational level of advanced nurse practitioners in Ireland is consistent with

international standards.

Evidence from the sCAPE project demonstrated that advanced nurse practitioners:

Reduced morbidity•

Decreased waiting times•

Provided earlier access to care•

Decreased re-admission rates•

Increased patient/client throughput•

Increased evidence-based practice•

Increased the use of clinical guidelines by the multidisciplinary team•

Developed guidelines for local, regional and national distribution •

Increased continuity of care•

Increased patient satisfaction•

Increased communication with patients/clients and families•

Promoted self-management among patients/clients•

Worked to expand and develop scope of practice to include more complex care provision•

Had high levels of job satisfaction•

Had significant support for their roles from the multidisciplinary team•

Provided clinical and professional leadership•

Conducted audit and research.•

overall, there were no additional costs for advanced nurse practitioners’ services (staff costs

and activity levels were matched for advanced nurse practitioner and non-advanced nurse

practitioner services. Advanced nurse practitioners’ services had decreased costs for emergency

department minor injuries and sexual health).

5. No advanced midwife practitioners were available for inclusion in the research.6. Further details can be found in the final report on the sCAPE Project (Begley et al, 2010).

41

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

The final report contains the following tools in an appendix that may be useful to clinical nurse/

midwife specialists and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners when evaluating their own

services:

Clinical nurse/midwife specialist evaluation toola .

Advanced nurse/midwife practitioner evaluation toolb .

Data required for economic evaluation of role(s)c .

Key tasks and behaviour score sheetd .

service users’ questionnaire for advanced midwife practitionerse .

service users’ questionnaire for advanced nurse practitionersf .

service users’ questionnaire for clinical midwife specialistsg .

service users’ questionnaire for clinical nurse specialists.h .

Additional questions for service users’ questionnaire to be used by advanced nurse practitioners

in endoscopy and colposcopy.

42

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

practice environment and facilitating services

new publications in 2010

The National Council produced eight new documents in 2010, some of which built on previously

published documents (see Appendix 1). The new documents are:

Profiles of Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners and Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists in •

Ireland (February 2010)

Clinical Outcomes. Discussion Paper 2• (June 2010)

Review of Achievements, 1999–2010: Publications – Leadership, Guidance and Evidence for •

Best Practice (November 2010)

Measuring the Nursing and Midwifery Contribution (Update 4): Developing and Revising •

Clinical Outcomes for Pre-Conceptual Care of Women with Diabetes: A Midwife’s Experience

(November 2010)

Development and Evaluation of a Toolkit to Support Nurse and Midwife Clinical Competency •

Determination and Competency Development Planning. Final Report (Higgins et al, November

2010a)

Nurse and Midwife Clinical Competency Determination and Competency Development Planning •

Toolkit (Higgins et al, November 2010b)

Key Performance Indicators. Discussion Paper 3• (December 2010)

An Evaluation of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners •

in Ireland (Begley et al, December 2010).

These have either been distributed among all stake-holders and made available on the National

Council’s website or are being prepared for distribution in 2011. The publications are summarised

below.

In a separate development, a series of updates sheets Measuring the Nursing and Midwifery

Contribution were published on the National Council’s website relating to the nursing and

midwifery interventions project conducted between 2005 and 2006. A fourth update (Measuring

the Nursing and Midwifery Contribution (Update 4): Developing and Revising Clinical Outcomes for

Pre-Conceptual Care of Women with Diabetes: A Midwife’s Experience) was published in electronic

and paper formats in November 2010 and a fifth update will be published in January 2011.

PROFiLES OF ADvANCED NuRSE/MiDWiFE PRACTiTiONERS AND CLiNiCAL NuRSE/MiDWiFE

SPECiALiSTS iN iRELAND

The first Profiles of Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners and Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists

was published in order to provide a showcase for and celebrate the work of advanced nurse/midwife

practitioners and clinical nurse/midwife specialists. This second document profiles the work and

services of another seventeen nurses and midwives working in specialist and advanced practice

roles, again highlighting the contribution they make to the enhanced quality of patient care and of

service delivery in Ireland. The introduction contextualises the need for the development of these

posts, with references to national policy on cancer services in particular.

43

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

CLiNiCAL OuTCOMES . DiSCuSSiON PAPER 2

In the four years since the publication of the research report and resource pack Measurement of

Nursing and Midwifery Interventions the National Council has built on the findings of that study and

has added to the resources and support available to nurses and midwives working in Ireland. The

term clinical outcomes has come to the fore in the literature and work pertaining to health service

reform and quality improvement during that time. The achievement of desirable clinical outcomes

has become an integral aim of healthcare provision and service delivery both in Ireland and abroad,

and this has implications for how different disciplines and grades of staff work together as members

of uni- or multi-disciplinary teams within and across healthcare settings. The purpose of this

discussion paper Clinical Outcomes is to provide an update on topics and issues relating to nursing

and midwifery interventions following the publication of the resource pack and to prompt discussion

about and reflection upon the complex environment in which nurses and midwives work today.

REviEW OF ACHiEvEMENTS, 1999–2010: PubLiCATiONS – LEADERSHiP, GuiDANCE AND

EviDENCE FOR bEST PRACTiCE

This review of over fifty publications by the National Council draws together the main strands of

ten years of service to nursing, midwifery and healthcare. Publications – Leadership, Guidance and

Evidence for Best Practice draws upon Review of Achievements, 1999–2009, which was produced

to mark the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the National Council. A timeline provides an

overview of the activities of the National Council since it was set up and of the events that have

influenced these activities. It also sets the context in which the publications were written and produced.

The opening chapter covers the achievements of the National Council in the years 1999 to 2010.

Chapters 2 to 7 are themed in accordance with the National Council’s core activities (i.e., the clinical

career pathway, practice environment and facilitating services, supporting evidence for practice, and

continuing professional development) in order to provide an overview of the publications. A summary

and a chronological list of the National Council’s publications are also provided in the appendices.

MEASuRiNG THE NuRSiNG AND MiDWiFERy CONTRibuTiON (uPDATE 4): DEvELOPiNG AND

REviSiNG CLiNiCAL OuTCOMES FOR PRE-CONCEPTuAL CARE OF WOMEN WiTH DiAbETES:

A MiDWiFE’S ExPERiENCE

Following the publication of its guidance and resource pack Measurement of Nursing and Midwifery

Interventions in 2006, the National Council proceeded to develop a section on its website concerned

with promoting information and sharing resources about measuring and demonstrating the nursing

and midwifery contribution to patient care. Three updates on the original project were published

on the website in 2009 and a fourth was prepared in 2010 which incorporated elements from the

discussion paper Clinical Outcomes.

Measuring the Nursing and Midwifery Contribution (Update 4): Developing and Revising Clinical

Outcomes for Pre-Conceptual Care of Women with Diabetes: A Midwife’s Experience provides

an account of how a clinical midwife specialist at the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital

developed interventions and associated outcomes for women with diabetes attending the midwife-

led pre-conceptual care clinic at the hospital. The midwife conducted a retrospective audit of the

44

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

pregnancies of 100 women with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and established a baseline that could be

used for comparison purposes in the future. The update also illustrates how her interventions and

outcomes reflect the needs of her patients and the goals of the service provider.

DEvELOPMENT AND EvALuATiON OF A TOOLkiT TO SuPPORT NuRSE AND MiDWiFE CLiNiCAL

COMPETENCy DETERMiNATiON AND COMPETENCy DEvELOPMENT PLANNiNG . FiNAL REPORT

In 2009, the National Council commenced a study of nurses’ and midwives’ requirements for a toolkit

to be used by service managers, as well as nurses and midwives, when identifying and determining the

clinical competencies required to meet service need and match patient activity. The National Council

used an open tender process to select and recruit a research team to develop and test a prototype

toolkit. Working in partnership with a multi-agency clinical team and the National Council’s steering

committee, the team from the school of Nursing, Trinity College, Dublin was commissioned to test

the prototype toolkit for relevance, user-friendliness and currency with front-line clinical staff.

Development and Evaluation of a Toolkit to Support Nurse and Midwife Clinical Competency

Determination and Competency Development Planning. Final Report (Higgins et al, 2010a) gives

an account of the literature review undertaken in preparation for the development and evaluation

of the toolkit and of the data collection and analysis. The report also outlines how the toolkit was

tested with participants at sixteen pilot sites using mixed methods (i.e., a questionnaire survey and

focus group interviews) and amended in accordance with many of their views.

NuRSE AND MiDWiFE CLiNiCAL COMPETENCy DETERMiNATiON AND COMPETENCy

DEvELOPMENT PLANNiNG TOOLkiT

Nurse and Midwife Clinical Competency Determination and Competency Development Planning

Toolkit (Higgins et al, 2010b) was developed on the basis of research undertaken by a team

commissioned by the National Council (see above). The work undertaken in relation to the toolkit

and its subsequent publication was driven by the service quality agenda rather than the continuing

competency agenda. As such, the toolkit supports and assists services and individual nurses and

midwives by outlining the steps to be taken when identifying the competencies necessary for the

successful delivery of particular clinical services.

The final version of the toolkit contains guidance on how to:

Analyse and identify nursing and midwifery competencies based on service needs •

Profile the competencies of staff working within the service •

Write competencies and behavioural indicators for practice•

Link competencies to competence frameworks•

Develop and implement competence development plans at service, team and individual levels•

undertake assessments of competencies developed. •

The toolkit is also available in PDF format on a CD-RoM; the templates used in the document can

be found on the CD-RoM in Microsoft Word format.

45

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

kEy PERFORMANCE iNDiCATORS . DiSCuSSiON PAPER 3

Building on guidance provided in the National Council’s second discussion paper (Clinical Outcomes)

and on resources available from the Health Information and Quality Authority, the discussion paper

Key Performance Indicators was developed as a resource for clinical nurse/midwife specialists and

advanced nurse/midwife practitioners wishing to articulate and clarify their contribution to patient

care. The need for this specialised guidance emerged from the evaluation of clinical nurse/midwife

specialists’ and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners’ clinical outcomes (see the report on the

evaluation in Clinical Career Pathway and the synopsis of the report below). The discussion paper

highlights factors to be considered in the development of key performance indicators and provides

a framework that nurses and midwives might use for this development work.

AN EvALuATiON OF CLiNiCAL NuRSE/MiDWiFE SPECiALiSTS AND ADvANCED NuRSE/

MiDWiFE PRACTiTiONERS iN iRELAND

Following evaluations of the effectiveness of clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/

midwife practitioner roles in 2004 and 2005 respectively, the National Council commissioned a

team comprising researchers from the schools of Nursing and Midwifery at Trinity College, Dublin

and the National university of Ireland, Galway to conduct further research into the development of

clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/midwife practitioner roles and the outcomes

associated with these roles. The study commenced in December 2008 and the final report, An

Evaluation of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners in

Ireland, was approved by the National Council on 6th December 2010.

The study demonstrated that care provided by clinical nurse/midwife specialists and advanced

nurse/midwife practitioners had improved outcomes for patients, as well as being safe and cost-

neutral. The sCAPE Project has also demonstrated the potential that exists within clinical nurse/

midwife specialists and advanced nurse/midwife practitioners to support the implementation

of health policy, meet the changing health needs of the population, address patients’ needs and

contribute to service reconfiguration. In their own professional spheres, they have displayed the

nursing and midwifery leadership capacity required for the introduction of care models and care

programmes within the Health service Executive and, potentially, within other health services.

This leadership has translated to more everyday and commonplace steps, such as using and

disseminating evidence-based clinical guidelines that support a safe environment for patients.

A more detailed report on this publication is provided in Clinical Career Pathway.

46

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

nursing and Midwifery planning and Development units

The National Council and the nursing and midwifery planning and development units (NMPDus)

work in partnership to support the strategic development of nursing and midwifery.

A series of professional development seminars/masterclasses were held in five regions in May

2010, at which updates were given on the work of the National Council and the NMPDus (see Box

1 below). The seminars were attended by directors of nursing, nursing practice development

co-ordinators, representatives of the third-level education institutions and centres of nurse and

midwife education, and by other senior nursing and midwifery personnel. Presentations given at

the seminars were made available on the National Council’s website.

box 1 . Regional Professional Development Seminars, May 2010

Date Location Seminar Theme and Speakers’ Details Number of Participants

20th May Kilkenny Lean Management in Healthcare Ms sharon Morrow Directorate Business Manager, st James’s Hospital, Dublin

55

21st May Cork Clinical Guideline Development Dr Georgina Gethin, Research Co-ordinator, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of surgeons in Ireland, Dublin

53

24th May Dublin The Productive Ward Ms Jan Ross, Productive Ward Lead, Royal Liverpool university Hospital Trust

45

25th May Ballinasloe The Productive Ward Ms Jan Ross, Productive Ward Lead, Royal Liverpool university Hospital Trust

65

26th May sligo Lean Management in Healthcare Ms sharon Morrow Directorate Business Manager, st James’s Hospital, Dublin

34

In 2010, the National Council held four meetings with the directors of the NMPDus. The agenda

involved development of generalist, specialist and advanced practice, research, continuing

education funding and project work.

The National Council’s NCNM Review continued to facilitate the NMPDus in raising awareness of

and providing updates on projects, continuing education opportunities and events, and nursing

and midwifery role development at a regional level.

47

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

working with the professions

Members of the National Council and its executive staff have initiated or have been involved in

several projects. As well as having made submissions to a number of organisations in relation to

specific initiatives, they have consulted or been consulted by various professional bodies. In 2010,

these included:

All-Ireland Co-operative oncology Research Group•

All-Ireland Gerontological Nurses’ Association•

An Bord Altranais•

An Garda síochána•

Centres of Nurse Education•

Community Mental Health Nurses’ Association•

Directors of the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development units•

Forum in Ireland for Nurses in Child and Adolescent Mental Health•

Haematology Association of Ireland (Nurses’ Group)•

Head and Neck Nurses’ Association (HANNA)•

Heads of schools of Nursing and/or Midwifery within the Third-Level Education sector•

Health Information and Quality Authority•

Health Research Board•

Health service Executive•

Institute of Community Health Nurses•

Intellectual Disability Network of Ireland•

Intellectual Disability services Nurse Managers’ Group•

Irish Apheresis Nurses’ Association•

Irish Association for oncology Nurses•

Irish Association of Activity Nurses and Carers•

Irish Association of Advanced Nurse and Midwife Practitioners•

Irish Association of Critical Care Nurses•

Irish Association of Directors of Nursing and Midwifery•

Irish Association of Paediatric Nurses•

Irish Association of Palliative Care•

Irish Association of urology Nurses•

Irish Blood Transfusion service•

Irish Breast Care Nurses’ Association•

Irish Clinical Research Infrastructure Network•

Irish Hepatology Nurses’ Association•

Irish Hospice Foundation•

48

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Irish Lung Cancer Nurses’ Group•

Irish Nursing and Midwifery Practice Development Association•

Irish Practice Nurses’ Association•

Irish Research Nurses’ Network•

Irish stoma Care and Colorectal Nurses’ Association•

Learning Disability and Health Network (uK and Ireland)•

Martha McMenamin scholarship Committee•

Mental Health Commission•

Mental Health Nurse Managers, Ireland•

National Cancer Control Programme•

National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Providing services to People with Intellectual •

Disability

National Network of Learning Disability Nurses (uK)•

National Network of Public Health Nurses/Nurses Working With Travellers•

National Qualifications Authority of Ireland•

Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery•

Nursing Policy Division, Department of Health and Children•

Nursing Practice Development Co-ordinators (Psychiatric group)•

Practice Development Co-ordinators for older People services•

Practice Nurse Facilitators•

Psychiatric Nurses’ Association•

Psychiatry of old Age Nurse Education/Development Group•

Resource and Implementation Group for Nurse Prescribing•

Respiratory Nurses Association of Ireland (ANAIL)•

Rheumatology Nurses’ Association•

service Industry, Professional and Technical union (sIPTu)•

strategy for Practice Development Group, Nursing Policy Division, Department of Health and •

Children.

The executive staff continued to advise individual nurses and midwives working in both the public

and private sectors, directors of nursing and/or midwifery, directors of the nursing and midwifery

planning and development units and other interested parties on issues such as National Council

processes and procedures, professional development, continuing education options, personal

career advice and development of professional roles.

49

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Continuing professional Development

Continuing education

The National Council continued to support innovation and development in practice by providing

and funding additional continuing education opportunities. In accordance with its policy the

National Council provided funding to three types of programmes: short continuing education

programmes (i.e., programmes that can be completed within twelve months); continuing education

programmes (i.e., programmes that may be of up to three years’ duration and pertain to specific

strategic developments); and grants for advanced nurse/midwife practitioner post development

(i.e., funding of a part-time facilitator to prepare a site and job description for an advanced nurse/

midwife practitioner post).

In 2010 the National Council allocated funding grants to 126 short continuing education

programmes and to the development of thirty-four advanced nurse/midwife practitioner posts.

All these programmes have provided nurses and midwives with the opportunity to maximise their

capabilities and skills in the health system, thereby facilitating new ways of working and enabling

nurses and midwives to deliver the range and quality of services required in the most efficient and

effective way to meet the needs of patient and service demands.

In a new initiative concerning innovative research development, awards were made to projects

supporting research development within clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/

midwife practitioner roles (see Supporting Evidence for Practice).

A brief description of all continuing education programmes for which funding was approved in 2010

is included in Appendices 2 and 3 to this annual report. The initiatives in receipt of the awards under

the Innovative Research Development Initiative are listed in Appendix 4.

working with education providers

The National Council consulted with the providers of nurse and midwife education located within

the healthcare services and the third-level education sector on topics of relevance and interest.

These included developments in the clinical career pathway (clinical nurse/midwife and advanced

nurse/midwife practitioner post developments) and projects such as the evaluation of clinical

nurse/midwife and advanced nurse/midwife practitioner roles (see Clinical Career Pathway) and

the development of an electronic portfolio (see below).

ELECTRONiC PORTFOLiO PROJECT

In 2009 the school of Nursing at the Royal College of surgeons in Ireland (RCsI) developed, piloted

and tested an electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) relevant to its nursing and midwifery education

programmes and to be used by nurses and midwives undertaking those programmes. In the course

of this study a project steering group was established, comprising representation from the RCsI

and the National Council. The final report on the study (The Introduction of an E-Portfolio in Nursing

and Midwifery Education, RCsI, 2010) was submitted to the National Council in December 2010.

The first stage of the study involved establishing the appropriate content for an e-portfolio and

a configuration and structure suitable for nursing and midwifery education programmes. The

50

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

content and structure of the e-portfolio was based on the second edition of the National Council’s

Guidelines for Portfolio Development for Nurses and Midwives (2006), the relevant postgraduate

nurse/midwife education programme and that it already developed by the RCsI for use in the school

of Medicine. The second stage involved further technical development of the structure and design of

the e-portfolio to ensure that it would accommodate on-going data entry by students and electronic

correspondence between students and lecturers. A focus group discussion was held in February

2010, to explore participants’ perceptions of the e-portfolio. Following on from this discussion,

further data was collected by means of a questionnaire aimed at exploring participants’ previous

experience with portfolios and their views on what they learned from using the e-portfolio.

In general, participants expressed favourable opinions on the structure and use of the e-portfolio

and acknowledged the benefits that use of portfolios could bring to them in terms of their own

learning. Recommendations were made concerning the use of information and communications

technology by nursing and midwifery students and lecturers.

seminars

The National Council again hosted a programme of seminars on topics of interest to specific groups

of nurses and midwives in keeping with the current health service agenda. Where appropriate, live

streaming of some of the autumn seminars took place and these were then made available to view

on the National Council’s website.

speakers and topics in 2010 are enumerated below:

Mr Michael shannon, Area Director• of Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development, HsE

(Dublin and Mid-Leinster): Governance in Health Care: Challenges for Nurses and Midwives,

17th May, Dublin

Professor Philip Larkin, university College, Dublin and our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross:• End

of Life Care, 27th May, Dublin

Ms Allyson Kent, Deputy Head of Nursing and Clinical Lead (Payment by Results), Humber NHs •

Foundation Trust, Willerby: Introduction of Caseload Management: Dependency Scores and

Acute Needs Assessment in Learning Disability, 15th october, Dublin

Ms Anna Plunkett, Director of Programme Development, st John of God Community services •

Ltd, Dublin: Resource Allocation and the Supports Intensity Scale, 15th october, Dublin.

51

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

supporting evidence for practice

Research Development

Responsibility for research development remains within the remit of the Research Development

officer (RDo), who is a joint appointment with the Health Research Board (HRB). Also falling

within this remit is promotion and implementation of nursing and midwifery research policy;

dissemination of research; and building research capacity within nursing and midwifery nationally

and internationally through award schemes, networking and information sharing.

The RDo has contributed to the ongoing implementation of some of the recommendations of

the Department of Health and Children’s Research Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in Ireland

(Department of Health and Children, 2003). she has also prepared a review of the attainments

emanating from the research strategy, which was published by the Department in 2010 (Research

Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in Ireland 2003–2008. Review of Attainments, Department of

Health and Children, 2010). Examples of this continued implementation include the successful mid-term

review of the five-year nursing and midwifery research priorities programme that emerged from the

National Council’s study of nursing and midwifery research priorities (Nursing and Midwifery Research

Priorities for Ireland, National Council, 2005) and further development of a nursing and midwifery

research database. Established in 2009 in line with recommendation 3 of the strategy, over 100 abstracts

had been submitted to the on-line database by the end of 2010, eighty of which were available for

search purposes; the remaining abstracts were awaiting amendment. The database has been marketed

through the National Council’s usual channels and by e-mail approaches to researchers.

The National Council continued to support clinical nurse/midwife specialists and advanced nurse/

midwife practitioners to meet the research requirements of their respective roles. The National

Council had established a Junior Clinician Scientist for Nursing and Midwifery award through the

HRB in 2007. This annual award scheme allowed successful candidates to undertake a master’s

degree by research or a doctoral degree on a part-time basis. one award was completed in 2010

and another three awards were in progress. Employment moratoria prevented a new call in 2010,

so instead a call was made for an Innovative Research Development Initiative to support research

development within clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/midwife roles. Five awards

were made with initiatives ranging from research roundtables, research master-classes, e-learning

programmes and research mentorship (see Appendix 4).

strategic alliances continued to be developed through national and international networking. For

example, the RDo continued to collaborate on all-Ireland initiatives such as the All-Ireland Practice

and Quality Development database and the Cancer Consortium Nurses Working Group. Based on

an evaluation of the latter’s clinical trials training for nurses, a new programme (Cancer Clinical

Trials Leadership and Management) was successfully initiated. Aimed at nurse managers of cancer

clinical trials nurses, five nurses attended the programme in 2010.

The RDo continued to profile research using the National Council’s existing communication

channels, namely the NCNM Review, the website, regional meetings, master-classes and the annual

national conference. she participated in meetings with key stake-holders, including the directors of

the nursing and midwifery development units and the directors of schools of nursing and midwifery

within the third-level education sector.

52

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Communication and Dissemination

tenth national Conference

on Wednesday 10th November Mary Harney, TD, Minister for Health and Children, opened the tenth

national conference of the National Council, entitled Quality and Innovation: Achieving Excellence in

Patient Care. The key-note address was given by Dr Barry White, National Director of HsE Clinical Care

and Quality. The main themes, topics and issues of the day were quality of services, quality of service

delivery, and patient safety. In order to make the conference content as widely available as possible, it

was “streamed” live and subsequently made available to view on the National Council’s website.

A total of 135 posters were displayed by nurses and midwives, showcasing excellence in practice,

education and research. Nine poster prizes were awarded.

website

The National Council’s website (www.ncnm.ie) was further enhanced and expanded in 2010. It

continued to be an important resource for nurses, midwives and other interested parties. Information

was provided on the National Council’s activities, and all its documents were available to download.

Latest statistics on, and developments in, clinical nurse/midwife specialist and advanced nurse/

midwife practitioner posts were provided. The events section contained up-to-date information on

national and international seminars and conferences.

The website received 50,985 visitors and 71,680 hits in 2010. From the time it went live in 2001

up until 31 December 2010, there have been 416,595 visitors to the National Council’s website

and 1,155,685 hits (i.e., the total number of times individual webpages were opened or individual

documents downloaded). About 88% of all traffic is from Ireland, 2% from the united Kingdom, 1%

from other European countries, 8% from New Zealand, and 1% from Australia.

MEASuRiNG THE NuRSiNG AND MiDWiFERy CONTRibuTiON

A new section of the website was developed as a resource-efficient means of building on the nursing

and midwifery interventions project conducted between 2005 and 2006 (Measurement of Nursing

and Midwifery Interventions: Guidance and Resource Pack, National Council, september 2006).

These webpages contain information about the original project, consultation work undertaken in

2007 and links to relevant resources. A fourth update sheet, entitled Measuring the Nursing and

Midwifery Contribution (Update 4): Developing and Revising Clinical Outcomes for Pre-Conceptual

Care of Women with Diabetes: A Midwife’s Experience, was added to the series already available

to download; a fifth update was in progress at the end of 2010. Any updates to the Measuring

the Nursing and Midwifery Contribution webpages are notified to the members of the electronic

network (e-network) established in 2009.

ALL-iRELAND PRACTiCE AND QuALiTy DEvELOPMENT DATAbASE

The National Council, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council

(NIPEC), continued to develop and manage the web-based All-Ireland Practice and Quality

Development Database, the purpose of which is to facilitate sharing of information about practice

53

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

and quality development initiatives by nurses and midwives in the health services. It was further

populated with submissions from both Northern Ireland and the Republic, bringing the total number

of projects on the database to 148.

SPECiALiST iNTEREST GROuPS

The National Council continued to host twenty-two specialist interest groups’ websites on its

website. A small number of these groups opted to develop independent websites during the year.

Websites hosted throughout the year were:

Clinical Placement Co-ordinators’ Association•

Colorectal Cancer Nurses’ Association•

Haematology Association of Ireland (Nurses’ Group)•

Head and Neck Nurses’ Association•

Irish Apheresis Nurses’ Association•

Irish Association of Directors of Nursing and Midwifery•

Irish Association of Paediatric Nurses•

Irish Breast Care Nurses’ Association•

Irish Clinical Nurse Managers Association (ENTRusT)•

Irish Diabetes Nurse specialist Association•

Irish Hepatology Nurses’ Association•

Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association•

Irish Lung Cancer Nurses’ Group•

Irish Nursing and Midwifery Practice Development Association•

Irish Research Nurses’ Association•

Irish stoma Care and Colorectal Nurses•

Mental Health Nurse Managers Ireland•

National Network of Public Health Nurses/Nurses Working With Travellers•

Psychiatry of old Age Nurse Education and Development Group•

Respiratory Nurses Association of Ireland (ANAIL)•

The older Person services National Practice Development Programme•

The Transcultural Nurses Network•

The Wound Management Association of Ireland.•

54

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

NCNM Review

Two issues of the NCNM Review were distributed electronically and in paper format in 2010. Issues

33 and 34 flagged developments within the Irish health service of relevance and interest to nurses

and midwives as well as providing a showcase for the National Council’s own activities and those

of nurses and midwives all around the country.

Nurses, midwives and other interested parties were invited to subscribe to the electronic

subscription list, and over 10,000 individuals did so. E-mail alerts were sent out to subscribers as

each issue became available on line.

presentations

The presentations shown in Box 2 were made during the year by the executive staff.

box 2 . Executive Staff Presentations Made in 2010

Title Audience Location Date

Developing a Competency Framework for Multiple Sclerosis Nursing in Ireland (workshop)

Multiple sclerosis Nurses Group Dublin 29th January

Developing an Advanced Nurse Practitioner Post for your Service

Meeting of myeloma nurses Dublin 12th February

Clinical Directorates in the Irish Health Services: Managing Resources

Nurse and midwife managers Cork university Hospital

24th February

Developing your Practice: Pushing the Boundaries

sexual Health Conference Limerick 6th March

Contemporary Issues in Nursing Msc (Nursing) students school of Nursing, Dublin City university

7th April

How Does a Service Conduct a Service Needs Analysis? (workshop)

Midwife and nurse managers National Maternity Hospital, Dublin

15th April

Developing a New Service – The Road Less Travelled

Graduate Diploma/Msc (Psycho-oncology) students

school of Nursing, Dublin City university

23rd April

Service Needs Analysis: Informing Business and Service Plans (workshop)

Advanced practice education co-ordinators

Edinburgh, scotland 28th April

Review of Attainments of the Research Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in Ireland, 2003–2008 (poster presentation)

Royal College of Nursing International Nursing Research Conference

Gateshead, England 11th May

The History and Evidence Supporting Clinical Specialist and Advanced Practice Roles (Chair of seminar)

Nurses and midwives from all over Ireland

school of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin

3rd June

Service Needs Analysis in Advanced Practice

Advanced Practice Conference Ayr, scotland 3rd June

Mental Health Nurses: Leaders or Followers

Mental health nurses attending the Irish Institute of Mental Health Nursing annual symposium

school of Nursing, Dublin City university

15th June

55

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

box 2 . Executive Staff Presentations Made in 2010

Title Audience Location Date

Quality and Evidence-Based Care in Specialist and Advanced Practice (Chair of session)

Nurses and midwives from all over Ireland

school of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin

16th June

Reasonable Adjustments for People with Learning Disabilities (panel member of facilitated discussion)

28th Annual Networking Event of the National Network of Learning Disability Nurses, learning/intellectual disability nurses from Ireland and the united Kingdom

university of York, England

19th July

How to Develop a Competency Framework (workshop)

Clinical nurse specialists Cork university Hospital, Cork

8th september

Career Pathway for Nurses Specialising in Pain

Irish Pain Nurses’ Discussion Group Dublin 17th september

Clinical Supervision Advanced nurse practitioner candidates

st James’s Hospital, Dublin

2nd october

Service Needs Analysis: Informing the Development of Advanced Nurse Practitioner Posts

Advanced nurse practitioner candidates

Beaumont Hospital, Dublin

28th october

Nurse and Midwife Competency Determination and Competency Development Planning

service planners and lead clinical nurses in the Health service Executive’s National Clinical Programmes

Health service Executive, Dr steevens’ Hospital, Dublin

16th November

Celebrating Florence Nightingale’s Inspiration of Nursing and Midwifery (Chair of session)

Nurses and midwives from Health service Executive (West)

Milford Care Centre, Castletroy, Limerick

23rd November

Clinical Outcomes – Promoting Patient Safety and Quality Care: Implications for Nurses and Midwives

Irish Nursing and Midwifery Practice Development Association

Health services National Partnership Forum, Dublin

25th November

Is Nursing an Art, a Science or a Profession? Reflections on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery in Ireland

Projecting the Nightingale Legacy into the Twenty-First Century

Department of Nursing, Waterford Institute of Technology

9th December

Nurse and Midwife Competency Determination and Competency Development Planning

service planners, practice development co-ordinators for practice nurses and lead clinical nurses in the Health service Executive’s National Clinical Programmes

Health service Executive, Merchants Quay, Dublin

14th December

The Impact of Advanced Nursing Practice in Ireland

Celebrating Advanced Nursing Practice – Five Years on

Resource Centre, HsE south

16th December

other ActivitiesA number of other activities conducted by the National Council in 2010 also fall under the heading

Communication and Dissemination but have been recorded elsewhere in this report. They include

accounts of the advanced nurse/midwife practitioner open days (see Clinical Career Pathway); the

new documents approved and/or published in 2010; and liaison with the nursing and midwifery

planning and development units and various organisations (see Practice Environment and

Facilitating Services).

AccountsFor the year Ended 31st December 2010

56

57

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Accounts

iNCOME AND ExPENDiTuRE ACCOuNT N

income

Department of Health & Children 3,439,000

superannuation 38,956

3,477,956

Expenditure

operational Expenditure 1,650,356 Note 1

Continuing Education Programmes 1,906,377

3,556,733

Deficit for the year (78,777)

Balance Brought Forward 374,222

Balance Carried Forward 295,445

bALANCE SHEET N

Tangible Fixed Assets 37,964

Current assets

Debtors and prepayments 87,726

Cash at bank and in hand 434,752

522,478

Creditors (Amount falling due within one year)

Creditors and accruals 227,033

Net Current Assets 295,445

Total Assets less Current Liabilities 333,409

Financed by

Capitalisation Account 37,964

Income and Expenditure Account 295,445

333,409

Note 1

Total Expenditure as per financial accounts 1,663,188

Add Capitalised Expenditure 8,547

Less Depreciation (21,379)

1,650,356

Appendices

59

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Appendix 1: publications of the national Council, 2001–2010

All the following publications are available in paper format and in PDF format on the National

Council’s website:

2001

February Criteria and Processes for the Allocation of Additional Funding for Continuing Education by the National Council

April CNS/CMS – Intermediate Pathway

May Framework for the Establishment of Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Midwife Practitioner Posts

July Aid to Developing Job Descriptions/Profiles for Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts

Annual National Council Newsletter (Issues 1–4)

Annual Report, 2000–2001

2002

May Guidelines on the Development of Courses Preparing Nurses and Midwives as Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners

November Database of Third-Level Education Courses leaflet


Annual Report, 2002

2003

May Agenda for the Future Development of Nursing and Midwifery

September Guidelines for Portfolio Development for Nurses and Midwives (also available in CD format)

November Guidelines for Health Service Providers for the Selection of Nurses and Midwives who Might Apply for Financial Support in Seeking Opportunities to Pursue Further Education


Annual Report, 2003

2004

January Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist

May Report on the Continuing Professional Development of Staff Nurses and Staff Midwives

July Framework for the Establishment of Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Midwife Practitioner Posts (2nd ed)

November Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts – Intermediate Pathway (2nd ed)


NCNM Quarterly Review (Issue 16)

Annual Report, 2004

60

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

2005

April An Evaluation of the Extent and Nature of Nurse-Led/Midwife-Led Services in Ireland

Clinical Nurse Specialist and Advanced Nurse Practitioner Roles in Emergency Departments (Position Paper)

June Nursing and Midwifery Research Priorities for Ireland (full and summary reports)

Agenda for the Future Professional Development of Public Health Nursing

Review of Nurses and Midwives in the Prescribing and Administration of Medicinal Products (with An Bord Altranais) (full and summary reports; also available in CD format)

September The Development of Joint Appointments: A Framework for Irish Nursing and Midwifery

Service Needs Analysis for Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner Posts

A Preliminary Evaluation of the Role of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Annual NCNM Quarterly Review (Issues 17–20)

Annual Report, 2005

2006

February Guidelines for Portfolio Development for Nurses and Midwives (2nd ed; also available in CD format)

Report on the Baseline Survey of Research Activity in Irish Nursing and Midwifery

June All-Ireland Practice and Quality Development Database Guide: A Guide to Sharing Practice and Quality Developments with Other Colleagues

September Measurement of Nursing and Midwifery Interventions: Guidance and Resource Pack (also available in CD format)

Improving the Patient Journey: Understanding Integrated Care Pathways

November Review of Achievements, 2001–2006

Clinical Nurse Specialist and Advanced Nurse Practitioner Roles in Intellectual Disability Nursing: Position Paper No 2


Annual Report, 2006

61

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

2007

February Framework for the Establishment of Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Midwife Practitioner Posts (3rd ed)

April

April

Clinical Nurse Specialist and Advanced Nurse Practitioner Roles in Older Persons Nursing: Position Paper No 3

Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts – Intermediate Pathway (3rd ed)

June Criteria and Processes for the Allocation of Additional Funding for Continuing Education (2nd ed)

September The Introduction of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing in Ireland: An Overview (with the Dept of Health and Children, the Health service Executive and An Bord Altranais)


Annual Report, 2007

2008

January Accreditation of Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Midwife Practitioners

Framework for the Establishment of Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Midwife Practitioner Posts (4th ed)

April Profiles of Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners and Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists in Ireland

Enhanced Nursing Practice in Emergency Departments: Position Paper No 4

July Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Role Resource Pack (2nd ed; with NMPDu, HsE (south), Kilkenny. Also available in CD format)

September Clinical Supervision – A Structured Approach to Best Practice. Discussion Paper No 1

Publications and Communications Update

November Accreditation of Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Midwife Practitioners (2nd ed)

Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts – Intermediate Pathway (4th ed)

Final Report of the Implementation of the Review of Nurses and Midwives in the Prescribing and Administration of Medicinal Products (with An Bord Altranais)

Report on the Role of the Nurse or Midwife in Medical-Led Clinical Research

Enhanced Midwifery Practice. Position Paper No 5

Annual NCNM Review (Issues 29–30)

Annual Report, 2008

62

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

2009

February Guidance on the Adaptation of Clinical Practice Guidelines: Getting Evidence into Practice

March Publications and Communications Update (2nd ed)

September Service Needs Analysis: Informing Business and Service Plans

National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery: A Review of Achievements, 1999–2009

Guide to the NCNM On-Line Research Database

November Guidelines for Portfolio Development for Nurses and Midwives (3rd ed; also available in CD format)

Publications and Communications Update (3rd ed)


Annual Report, 2009

2010

February Profiles of Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners and Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists in Ireland

June Clinical Outcomes. Discussion Paper 2

November Review of Achievements, 1999–2010: Publications – Leadership, Guidance and Evidence for Best Practice

Measuring the Nursing and Midwifery Contribution (Update 4): Developing and Revising Clinical Outcomes for Pre-Conceptual Care of Women with Diabetes: A Midwife’s Experience

Key Performance Indicators. Discussion Paper 3

Development and Evaluation of a Toolkit to Support Nurse and Midwife Clinical Competency Determination and Competency Development Planning. Final Report (Higgins et al, 2010a)

Nurse and Midwife Competency Determination and Competency Development Planning Toolkit (Higgins et al, 2010b) (also available in CD-RoM format)

December An Evaluation of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners in Ireland (Begley et al, 2010)


Annual Report, 2010

63

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Appendix 2: Continuing education programmes Approved for funding in 2010

HSE (Dublin and Mid-Leinster)(Dublin City, South of Liffey; South Co Dublin; all of kildare; and baltinglass area of Co Wicklow)

Programme Title Programme Summary Funding Approved in 2010

Foundation Course in Colorectal and General surgery Nursing

Facilitating nurses to explore the fundamental theories and concepts underpinning the management of colorectal and general surgery nursing and their application in clinical practice.

€8,500.00

Quality Assurance, Ward Management and service Development Programme for CNM2s

Developing the leadership and management skills of clinical nurse managers by focusing on the effective use of resources, nursing care outcomes and staff development.

€10,000.00

surgical skills Enhancement Programme

Enhancing and developing the knowledge and skills of nurses to ensure the provision of a high standard of surgical nursing care for patients with pancreatic malignancies.

€10,000.00

seminar: Leadership, Management and Quality in Healthcare

Providing a forum for nursing and midwifery staff to explore and debate issues relating to leadership, management and quality in the health services.

€2,000.00

Developing a Culture and Environment of Person-Centred Care and Excellence

Facilitating the implementation of a person-centred approach to nursing care in the residential care services by focusing on quality, health and safety, dignity and respect.

€9,000.00

Psychosocial Interventions in Acute Psychosis – Evidence-Based Practice for Complex Mental Health Needs: A skills-Based Programme

Equipping mental health nurses with the psychosocial skills required to provide effective interventions for service users who present with acute psychotic symptoms.

€8,588.00

Midwives: Managers or Leaders? Closing the Loop

Exploring the concepts of nurses and midwives leadership and management across the spectrum of community- and hospital-based maternity and neonatal services.

€1,500.00

Developing Clinical Audit skills Facilitating participants to develop the knowledge and skilled to conduct clinical audit.

€4,000.00

Pre-operative Assessment Facilitating nurses to develop their skills in pre-operative assessment including history taking and physical, social and psychological assessment

€700.00

obstetric Emergency skills and Drills (PRoMPT) (Practical obstetric Multidisciplinary Training): Train-the-Trainer

Enabling midwives to develop their knowledge, skills and competencies to effectively manage obstetric emergencies.

€3,954.60

Education Programmes on Best Practice in Person-Centred Dementia Care

Providing nurses with the knowledge, skills and competencies to deliver person-centred dementia care.

€10,000.00

Anaesthetics and Recovery Care Facilitating participants to develop a greater understanding of anaesthetics, the action of anaesthetic drugs and post-operative care.

€1,050.00

series of Workshops on Tracheotomy Care for Nurses working with older People and Community Nurses

Providing nursing care with the knowledge, skills and competencies to care for patients with a tracheostomy in the residential care setting.

€4,000.00

understanding Blood Results Enabling participants to update their knowledge of haematology and interpreting blood test results.

€1,000.00

ECG Workshop Facilitating participants update their knowledge and understanding of electro-cardiogram interpretation.

€1,000.00

64

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

HSE (Dublin and Mid-Leinster)(Dublin City, South of Liffey; South Co Dublin; all of kildare; and baltinglass area of Co Wicklow)


Communication Consultation and Care Planning for End of Life

A seminar on optimal care of the patient and family in dying, death and bereavement.

€4,800.00

PRoMPT Course (Practical obstetric Multidisciplinary Training): Train-the-Trainer

Facilitating midwives to implement a fully evaluated obstetric emergency course within their maternity units.

€8,000.00

Introduction to Practice Nursing Course Providing a structured evidence-based programme of education for practice nurses.

€3,000.00

Managing Pain using a Palliative Care Approach

Facilitating participants develop the skills and knowledge to assess and manage pain in the older person.

€1,800.00

using the Resources Available to you Effectively: Building Leadership and Management for CNM1s and CNM2s

supporting nurse managers to identify the challenges of managing in the clinical area and the optimal use of staff and resources.

€3,000.00

Maternity Hospitals Responding to Women Experiencing Domestic Violence

Facilitating midwives to recognise and support women experiencing domestic violence in pregnancy.

€5,400.00

Best Practice in Person-Centred Dementia Care

updating participants on best practice and person-centred care for patients with dementia.

€900.00

Research, Clinical Audit and Quality Improvement seminar

Enhancing professional practice and improving patient outcomes by promoting research projects related to clinical practice, patient care, education and management.

€1,500.00

Train-the-Trainers Programme on Lean Healthcare

Facilitating participants apply to Lean Healthcare processes in order to identify and implement improved management systems to create more efficient, effective, safe and quality care.

€1,400.00

65

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

HSE (Dublin and North East)(Dublin City North of the Liffey and Fingal)


Ninth Annual Kaleidoscope International Palliative Care Conference: Connecting and Caring in Palliative Care

Providing delegates with an opportunity to discuss and debate best practice within palliative care from national and international perspectives.

€1,500.00

Twelfth National orthopaedic Nurses Conference

A programme aiming to highlight best practice and recent research initiatives within orthopaedic nursing.

€1,500.00

stand-Alone Module: Microbiology and Infection Control

A programme aiming to update participants on best practice in infection control and microbiology.

€4,750.00

supporting staff undertaking Clinical Audit in a Maternity setting

supporting midwives and nurses to develop the knowledge and skills to conduct clinical audit.

€8,500.00

skills-Based Course for RPNs Working With Patients who Present with suicide and self-Injurious Behaviours in Borderline Personality Disorder

Providing participants with the knowledge and skills to support and care for patients who present with suicide and self-injurious behaviours.

€10,000.00

Documentation and Record-Keeping Providing participants with an update on best practice in documentation and record-keeping from professional and legal perspectives.

€3,000.00

Peer Group Clinical supervision Developing peer group clinical supervision within mental health nursing.

€5,400.00

Nursing Workforce Planning Project in Haematology/oncology services: Mapping Patient Journeys

supporting the development of strategic and operational workforce planning within the haematological/oncology services.

€10,000.00

Annual Mater Misericordiae university Hospital Cardiovascular update

Providing a forum for dissemination of current best practice initiatives and research activities within the cardiology services.

€1,500.00

Best Practice in older Person Care for Nurses

Empowering participants to deliver person-centred care within the older person services.

€5,000.00

Recognition and Management of substance Misuse in Individuals with a Mental Illness

Enabling participants to engage more effectively with clients with substance abuse and mental health problems.

€10,000.00

A Beginner’s Guide to Conducting Research

Developing participants research skills, evidence utilisation and implementation.

€9,020.00

Psychosocial Intervention in Mental Health

Facilitating participants to critically analyse and evaluate the significance of recovery-orientated practice in contemporary mental health care.

€10,000.00

The Nursing Management of Persons with Diabetes

updating practice nurses on evidence-based diabetes care from clinical and theoretical perspectives.

€5,750.00

66

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

HSE (Dublin and Mid-Leinster)(Counties Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath)


Development and Implementation of a Child and Family Health Needs Assessment Programme for PHNs

Developing a child and family health needs assessment framework and a family health record within public health nursing.

€5,000.00

special Purpose Award (Level 8): Module in End of Life Care

Facilitating participants to develop increased knowledge and understanding of end of life care issues.

€9,900.00

Train-the-Trainer Programme on Lean Healthcare

Educating participants on the processes involved in Lean Healthcare in the creation of more efficient, effective, safe and quality care.

€1,400.00

Palliative and End of Life Care study Day

Providing a forum for participants to share and explore best practice in palliative and end of life care.

€1,500.00

Facilitating a Friendship, Relationship and sexuality Educational Programme for Men and Women with an Intellectual Disability

supporting participants in the development of the core skills necessary to deliver effective educational programmes for clients with an intellectual disability.

€9,000.00

obstetric skills and Drills Programme for Midwives

Facilitating midwives to develop the requisite knowledge, skills and competencies to efficiently and effectively manage obstetric emergencies.

€3,000.00

Leadership Programme for Clinical Nurse Managers and shift Leaders

Developing the leadership and management skills of clinical nurse/midwife managers.

€4,000.00

Care of the older Person Examining the key legal issues that arise when providing nursing care in the older person setting.

€2,491.00

Educational Programme for the Assessment and Management of Leg ulcers in Nurse-Led Leg ulcer Clinics

Facilitating community nurses to establish and run nurse-led clinics for leg ulcer care.

€3,600.00

Best Practice in Care-Planning and Documentation: The Legal Requirements

Enhancing nurses’ knowledge of and skills in the care-planning and documentation process of patient care.

€1,600.00

Trauma Nursing Care Course Providing evidence-based education incorporating cognitive and psychomotor skills for nurses involved in the care of trauma patients.

€5,100.00

Family Interventions and Psychosis Course

supporting an evidence-based approach to family interventions in psychosis.

€10,000.00

sonas Therapeutic Communication Activity Programme for Residential Care

Promoting therapeutic communication activity for older people with dementia, Parkinson’s disease or stroke.

€5,100.00

67

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

HSE (Dublin and North-East)(Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan)


Introduction of the Productive Ward Programme “Releasing Time to Care”: Module Implementation Training

Introducing a Productive Ward programme to support and empower nursing staff deliver effective and efficient clinical care.

€10,000.00

Education/Training programme for senior Nurse Managers on Leadership skills

Developing the leadership skills of nurse managers to ensure effective change management.

€2,500.00

stroke Management: From Early Detection to Rehabilitation

Determining the educational and learning requirements of healthcare staff to facilitate the establishment and roll-out of specialised stroke units.

€4,000.00

The PRoMPT (Practical obstetric Multidisciplinary Training) Implementation Day: Train-the- Trainer

Providing midwives with an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills as trainers to facilitate the multidisciplinary team manage obstetric emergencies efficiently and effectively.

€2,000.00

Professional Development Programme for Registered Nurses and Midwives

Facilitating nurses and midwives to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to deliver holistic evidence-based care to patients/clients in a variety of healthcare settings.

€9,600.00

Management and Leadership in Dementia Care

Developing the leadership and management skills of nurses within the dementia care services.

€1,562.00

Fundamentals of Dementia Facilitating participants to develop their knowledge and understanding of the key elements of dementia care.

€1,560.00

The THRIVE (Time, Healing, Resilience, Interdependence, Vivacity and Emancipation) Approach to Mental Illness: Building Resilience and Finding Your Future

Introducing mental health nurses to the THRIVE assessment and planning tool in the recovery approach to mental illness.

€950.00

study Day on Women’s Health updating participants on best practice initiatives within women’s health.

€3,000.00

sTABLE (stabilisation in transport of neonates) Programme.

Facilitating neonatal nurses develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to manage the sick neonate during transfer from outlying hospitals.

€1,500.00

Responding to the Needs of older Persons Experiencing Dementia

Introducing participants to evidence-based person centred dementia care.

€4,680.00

Continence Promotion and Management Programme

updating participants on current evidence-based practice within continence promotion and management.

€9,294.30

Falls Prevention Programme: Phase 4 Developing nurses’ knowledge of all aspects of falls prevention, assessment, monitoring and management.

€9,294.30

Professional Management of Aggression and Violence Phase 3

Facilitating participants effectively manage aggression and violence in the healthcare setting.

€9,294.03

68

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

HSE (South)(Counties Carlow, kilkenny, Tipperary (South), Waterford and Wexford)


A stepwise approach to enhancing clinical practice using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Levels 1–3

A programme aiming to give participants an overview and understanding of the principles that underlie Beck’s model of cognitive behaviour therapy

€7,200.00

Fundamental Aspects of Palliative Care

Facilitating participants apply the fundamental aspects of palliative care in the hospice setting.

€900.00

Promoting Healthy Ageing through Health Promotion and Purposeful/Meaningful Activity Training for staff

Facilitating nursing staff to engage in purposeful and meaningful activities with residents focusing on independence and health.

€800.00

69

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

HSE (South)(Counties Cork and kerry)


Pre-operative Assessment supporting the development of nurse-led pre-operative assessment clinics.

€3,042.00

Development of Infection Control Guidelines: An Advisory Document for General Practice

Developing best practice guidelines on the prevention and control of infection in general practice.

€4,500.00

Nursing Metrics supporting and measuring nursing care contribution to healthcare using key performance indicators.

€10,000.00

second Annual Critical Care study Day

Providing delegates with an update on current evidence-based best practice within the critical care setting.

€1,500.00

on the Edge: Annual National Conference of Mental Health Nurse Managers, Ireland

Facilitating participants to come together to engage in discussion and debate regarding best practice within national and international mental health services.

€6,000.00

All-Ireland Gerontological Nursing Association Conference

updating delegates on current best practice and person-centred care within gerontological nursing.

€1,500.00

sToRM (skills-Based Training on Risk Management) suicide Prevention Package

Developing participants’ skills and knowledge in risk assessment and management in parasuicide and self-injury.

€5,500.00

Pulsating News – Cardiology Conference

updating delegates on current best practice within cardiology.

€1,500.00

Workshop Exploring a Person-Centred Model of Practice Development

Exploring practice development and overcoming particular challenges to change management in the clinical environment.

€1,300.00

Enhancing safety in Medication Management

Developing a practice standard and audit tool to improve safety in medication management.

€5,000.00

Evidence-Based Practice and Nurse sensitive outcomes: Educational Programme

Developing an educational initiative to expand nursing knowledge of clinical informatics, evidence-based practice and nursing-sensitive quality methodologies.

€4,500.00

Masterclasses for the senior Nurse Management Team

Providing senior nurse managers with updates on current developments within the health services.

€4,100.00

Train-the-Trainer (Acute Life Threatening Events Recognition and Treatment)

Enabling participants efficiently and effectively recognise, assess and treat the acutely ill patient.

€2,500.00

Home-Based Recovery and Promoting Wellness

updating delegates on current best practice within community based holistic mental health care.

€1,500.00

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: skills for Practice

Providing participants with an overview of cognitive behaviour therapy principles and their application in practice.

€10,000.00

Theatre study Day Providing participants with an update on best practice in specific surgical procedures, anaesthetics and the role of the nurse in theatre and recovery.

€1,500.00

70

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

HSE (West)(Counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary (North))


Acute Life Threatening Events Recognition and Treatment

Enabling participants to efficiently and effectively recognise, assess and treat the acutely ill patient.

€3,200.00

Valuing our Contribution: The Role of Nursing in the Provision of Compassionate Care

Exploring the concept of person-centred care and how managers and leaders can promote this culture within older person residential services.

€1,700.00

Acute Life-Threatening Event Recognition and Training


€2,560.00

understanding Loss, Grief and Bereavement

Facilitating participants support parents and families experiencing, loss, grief and bereavement following the death of a child.

€4,980.00

Leadership and Management: seminar for Front-Line Managers

Facilitating nurse managers to understand the principles of leadership and management strategies and styles and their application in practice.

€1,840.00

Leadership and Management: seminar for senior Managers

supporting senior nurse managers develop their knowledge, skills and competencies in leadership and management.

€1,790.00

Enhanced skills for Normal Labour and Birth: Course for Midwives

Enhancing midwives’ knowledge and skills in evidence-based midwifery practice and the promotion of normal birth.

€4,360.00

Education sessions on Nutrition Providing participants with an update on nutrition and its importance in the management of conditions such as diabetes mellitus.

€800.00

Pain Management E-Learning Programme

Developing an e-learning pain management programme for healthcare professionals to increase evidence-based knowledge in pain science.

€10,000.00

Acute Life-Threatening Emergency Recognition Treatment


€3,700.00

Masterclass on Nursing Metrics Developing the knowledge and relevance of nursing metrics and measuring the nursing contribution to patient care and outcomes.

€1,400.00

Leading into the Future: A Relationship-Centred Leadership Programme (older Persons services)

Facilitating participants to develop their leadership skills to influence person-centred planning and delivery of healthcare.

€10,000.00

The Irish Association of Directors of Nursing and Midwifery Annual Conference, 2010

Addressing the topic of nursing and midwifery leadership and examining the role of nurse managers in the changing healthcare environment.

€8,500.00

Evidenced-Based Nursing Initiatives in skills and Theory

Developing and enhancing the clinical skills and competencies of nurses caring for people with intellectual disability.

€8,000.00

71

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

HSE (West) (Counties Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo)


The Role of Risk Assessment in Transforming older Patient Care and Management: Implementing the DRAMs (Dynamic Risk Assessment Management system) Approach

supporting nurses to carry out risk assessment and management in the older person setting with an emphasis on person-centred care.

€6,000.00

supporting Transformation: Empowering senior Nurse Managers: A Pilot Programme

Facilitating participants to develop leadership skills to support them in the implementation of integrated patient services.

€7,000.00

Re-Insertion of Gastrostomy Tubes by Nurses

supporting participants to develop the requisite knowledge and skills to replace gastrostomy tubes in community hospital setting.

€4,500.00

Improving services and support for Adults with Autism

supporting participants to deliver person-centred innovative services to adults with autism.

€4,000.00

Train-the-Trainer Programme on Lean Healthcare

Exploring and examining the principles of Lean Thinking and the processes involved in implementing Lean Healthcare.

€2,800.00

EP-ACLs (Education Provider Advanced Cardiac Life support) Provider and Instructor Module

supporting participants to develop the knowledge, competencies and skills to effectively and efficiently manage the acutely ill patient who has suffered a cardiac arrest.

€4,000.00

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Interventions for Acute Psychosis

Providing participants with an overview of psychological interventions for psychosis and the assessment and treatment of acute psychosis.

€6,000.00

Nurse-Led Telephone Follow-up Clinic for Patients with Cancer

Developing an educational programme for specialist nurses in oncology to facilitate the development of a telephone follow-up service for patients.

€3,000.00

Psychiatric Assessment schedule for Adults with Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (PAs-ADD): A Train-the-Trainer Course

Facilitating the introduction of the PAs-ADD assessment schedule within intellectual disability and mental health services.

€8,000.00

Maintaining the Dignity and Independence of Patients/Residents with Dementia

Developing a person-centred philosophy of care focusing on maintaining the dignity and independence of residents with dementia.

€4,680.00

72

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

HSE (West) (Counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon)


Working smarter Not Harder: A Time for Reflection

Introducing participants to ‘smarter, not harder’ ways of working in order to improve the effectiveness of services provided to clients.

€1,500.00

The Way Forward: Domiciliary Intervention Treatment Team in Mental Health

A seminar for delegates from specialist areas of mental health to explore best practice and developments for quality improvement within the mental health services.

€1,500.00

Education Programme for the Implementation and Audit of Clinical Guidelines on Continence

Developing, implementing, and auditing clinical guidelines for continence promotion in the residential setting.

€2,000.00

Implementation of standardised Assessment Tool and Care Plan Documentation in older Persons services in Galway PCCC

Implementing a standardised assessment and care-planning system in older person residential services.

€5,000.00

Implementation of standardised Assessment Tool and Care Plan Documentation in older Persons services in Mayo PCCC

Implementing a standardised assessment and care planning system in older person services.

€5,000.00

Implementation of standardised Assessment Tool and Care Plan Documentation in older Persons services in Roscommon PCCC

Implementing a standardised assessment and care planning system in older person services.

€5,000.00

skills Training Programme for the self-Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Community

Facilitating community nurses to provide programmes for clients on the self-management of rheumatoid arthritis.

€5,200.00

Therapeutic Management of Violence: Train-the-Trainer Programme

Providing a train-the-trainer programme on the therapeutic management of aggression and violence in the workplace.

€10,000.00

Training Course in Clinical Risk Assessment and Risk Management

Introducing objective validated risk assessment tools for the management of aggression and violence in mental health services.

€5,000.00

Contribution of Nurses in Intellectual Disability services to Early Intervention/Primary Care Teams

Examining and exploring the role of the nurse in early intervention and primary care teams within intellectual disability services.

€1,500.00

Eden Alternative Training Programme: older Persons Residential Care Promoting Positive Change

Providing participants with an update on the principles that make up the Eden Alternative philosophy and the application of these principles in older person settings.

€8,500.00

Development of E-Learning Programmes to Educate Nurses in the use of older Person Assessment Record and screening Tools

Facilitating the development of e-learning programmes to support public health/community nurses to utilise assessment tools within older person care.

€6,500.00

Managing Leading and Defining Practices and New Ways of Working for Mental Health Nurse Managers

Facilitating nurse managers to develop ways of motivating teams, improve communication skills and influence and lead practice within changing mental health services.

€10,000.00

Facilitation and Training in the use and Applicability of Assessment Tools and Validated Instruments

Facilitating participants from public health nursing services in the Galway area to incorporate various validated assessment tools to assess measure and improve practice within community settings.

€3,750.00

73

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

HSE (West) (Counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon)

Celebration of Nursing Conference A national conference highlighting best practice initiatives in nursing from national and international perspectives.

€1,500.00

Advancement of Nursing/Midwifery Documentation Project

Facilitating the development and implementation of best practice standards in recording clinical care.

€1,500.00

Management of Patients with Acute Alcohol Withdrawal

supporting nurses to develop knowledge and skills in the management of patients experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal.

€1,500.00

Education and Training Programme to support the Roll-out of Regional Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

Facilitating public health nurses to implement and evaluate regional clinical guidelines.

€4,000.00

Institute of Community Health Nursing Conference, 2010: Achieving Quality and safety in the Community

Providing community nursing staff with an update on recent quality and safety reports and the implementation of recommendations within the community health services.

€1,500.00

74

nC

nM

AN

Nu

AL

RE

Po

RT

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Appendix 3: grants for Advanced nurse/Midwife practitioner post Development

In 2010 a grant of €12,500 was awarded to each of the successful applications listed below.

Programme Title Organisation(s)

ANP (Colposcopy) Rotunda Hospital, Parnell square, Dublin 1

ANP (Cardiology) st Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin

ANP (Adult Congenital Heart Disease) Mater Misericordiae university Hospital, Eccles street, Dublin 7

ANP (Cardiology) Naas General Hospital, Naas, Co Kildare

ANP (Child Health) Coolock Health Centre, Dublin 5

ANP (Child Protection and Family support) Louth Community Care

ANP (Colorectal Cancer screening) Cork university Hospital

ANP (Colorectal) Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar

ANP (Colposcopy) Letterkenny General Hospital, Co Donegal

ANP (Community Liaison Nurse for older Persons) Mater Misericordiae university Hospital, Eccles street, Dublin 7

ANP (Community Mental Health) Clare Mental Health services

ANP (Dementia Care) st Vincent’s Hospital, Athy, Co. Kildare

ANP (Dementia/Psychiatry of Later Life) Longford-Westmeath Mental Health services

ANP (Diabetes Management) Cavan and Monaghan Hospital Group

ANP (Diabetes) Naas General Hospital, Naas, Co Kildare

ANP (Dual Diagnosis/Forensic Mental Health) Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin 14

ANP (Emergency) Naas General Hospital, Naas, Co Kildare

ANP (Emergency) Roscommon General Hospital

ANP (Emergency) Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co Galway

ANP (Endoscopy) Naas General Hospital, Naas, Co Kildare

ANP (Endoscopy) Letterkenny General Hospital, Co Donegal

ANP (Gerontological Nursing) Birr Community Nursing unit, Birr, Co offaly

ANP (Gerontology: Care of older Persons in Residential and Community Care)

Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9

ANP (Heart Failure) Mater Misericordiae university Hospital, Eccles street, Dublin 7

ANP (Mental Health) Primary Health Care, Ballymun and st Vincent’s Hospital, Fairview, Dublin 3

ANP (Neonatal) Waterford Regional Hospital

ANP (Neonatal) university Hospital, Galway

ANP (older Persons Emergency) st James’s Hospital, James’s street, Dublin 8

ANP (older Persons in Emergency Department) Galway university Hospital

ANP (oncology) Mater Misericordiae university Hospital, Eccles street, Dublin 7

ANP (Paediatric Ambulatory Care) Waterford Regional Hospital

ANP (Paediatrics) Letterkenny General Hospital, Co Donegal

ANP (Pain Management) Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

ANP (Primary Care) st Conal’s Hospital, Letterkenny and Letterkenny General Hospital

75

NC

NM

An

nu

Al

Re

po

Rt

& A

CC

ou

NT

s 2

010

Appendix 4: innovative Research Development initiative grants

Five awards were made under the Innovative Research Development Initiative in 2010.

Programme TitleFunding

Approved in 2010

Exploring the Research Opportunities for Clinical Nurse Specialist (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination) Working in Sexual Assault Units in Ireland

€1,600.00

Developing Advanced and Specialist Nursing Practice through a Targeted Research Development Programme in the Context of an Academic Health Centre

€15,200.00

Developing and Implementing the Research Capacity of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners at St James’s Hospital, Dublin

€28,074.00

Research Development Initiative for a Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist and Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioner Group, HSE (South) (Cork/Kerry)

€1,900.00

E-Learning Programme: Transforming Nurses’/Midwives’ Research into Publications €21,000.00

This document is published in Irish and English

A Decade of Progress: A Legacy for Nursing and Midwifery · Nursing and Midwifery Planning and...

Documents

Transcript of A Decade of Progress: A Legacy for Nursing and Midwifery · Nursing and Midwifery Planning and...