Midland Health Board news: April 2002

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1 Midland Health Board news: April 2002 Item type Authors Rights Report Midland Health Board (MHB) MHB Downloaded 21-Jul :11:38 Link to item Find this and similar works at -

2 Midland Health Board April 2002 NEWS First Nurses Graduate from the Midland Regional School of Nursing CONTENTS Corporate Induction..2 Dental Department..3 Nineteen students graduated from the Midland Regional School of Nursing - a historic occasion as the students are the first graduates of the now very successful School of Nursing. The school, since its establishment has been a great success not just in 100% success rate in first registraction examinations having a 100% success rate in its first registration examinations but also due to the fact that its intake of students has increased each year since its Seamus Doyle, Technical Services, who designed the Midland Health Board School of Nursing medal, in memory of his sister Freda ( ) with (l to r): Mr. Larry Bane, Director of Professional Standards and External Relations; Minister Brian Cowen, TD who presented the medals and certificates; Mr. Denis Doherty former CEO: Ms. Pauline Coughlan, Acting Principal Tutor, School of Nursing and Ms. Mairead Hogan, Director of Nursing Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar Six training workshops for line managers were carried out during March and April detailing the Board s Induction Policy, Procedure & Guidelines and Health Risk Management approach. The workshops were held in Mullingar; Longford, Tullamore. establishment. This year will also see the start up of psychiatric nurse training in the Midland region and will result in an intake of 60 students for the General and Psychiatric Nursing Programme. This will mean that 240 student nurses will eventually be in training at any one time in the Midland Health Board area. The school is located in Tullamore with students attending Athlone Institute of Technology for academic subjects in their first year of training. Students undertake their nursing practice in the Board s health care setting in acute, long stay and community facilities. In 1998 Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D. while Minister for Health granted approval for the establishment of a School of General Nursing for the Midland Region. The school had its first intake of students in September of This group of students sat their final registration examinations in November, All 19 students who sat their final examinations were successful and have now graduated. As this is the first graduation of students from the school it is a very important and special occasion, said Mr Larry Bane, Director of Professional Standards and External Relations with the Board. At present students undertake a three year training programme leading to a Diploma. From the student intake of this year students will follow a 4 year programme leading to the award of a Degree. Mr Bane said the new degree programme will put the education of nurses on a par with that of other health care professionals. Educating nurses to degree level will enable them to develop their clinical skills Traveller Health....4 Human Resource Strategy Disability Database..6 Managing Nutrition..7 Continuous Quality Improvement Mental Health Strategy Commission of Nursing Tribute to Denis Doherty to a greater extend and enable them to respond to future challenges in health care, for the benefit of patients and other service recipients. Induction Workshops for Line Managers Portlaoise. The content of the workshop was based on the issues to be covered with new employees upon commencement of employment within a particular service area. The workshops aimed to facilitate consistency in the approach taken by line managers in inducting new staff and to clarify the line manager s particular role and responsibility regarding induction. The workshops were facilitated by Edwina Doran, Corporate Learning & Development Manager, Cora McCaughan, Health Care Risk Manager, Fionnuala Greening and Brendan Guinan of Child Care Training Unit. The Corporate Learning and Development Department wish to thank all those who attended the workshops for all the support, enthusiasm and participation demonstrated by all managers on this vital process. Director of Information Systems John Kenny, the Board s new Director of Information Systems has been working as an Independent Information Systems Consultant for the last five years, working with clients in the telecommunications and service industries in Ireland, UK and Europe. Prior to that John has worked in the Electronics and Telecommunications Industries in a range of management positions. He lives in Glasson outside Athlone and qualified as an Electronics Engineer from UCD and has a Masters Degree in management from Trinity College. In his new role John hopes to use his Information Systems and Business experience to develop business focussed Information Systems for the Midland Health Board. Pictured at Induction Training Workshop for Line Managers, Edwina Doran, Corporate Learning and Development Manager; Trudy Rohan, Director of Nursing Ofalia House and Siobhan Regan, Corporate Learning and Development.

3 2 Ms. Pauline Coughlan, Principal Nurse Tutor presenting the School of Nursing Award to the best first year student nurse, Ms. Elaine Guilfoyle, Tullamore. The Corporate Learning & Development Department arranged three retirement planning seminars this month in Moate, Portlaoise and Tullamore. The main objective of the seminars is to give tangible recognition of the service given by staff members to the Midland Health Board. The two-day seminars are designed to provide staff with information on a Performance and Development Management The first of a number of pilot groups for the implementation of a `Performance and Development Management system took place on 11th April with the Senior Laboratory staff of the Medical Laboratory in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar. The main purpose of such a system is to facilitate the alignment of individual/personal goals with those of the Midland Health Board. The pilot group meetings are designed to introduce the structure and objectives of the system and then to tailor the system to suit the specific needs of the particular department. For further information on the above, please contact Edwina Doran, Corporate Learning and Development Manager or Siobhan Regan, Corporate Learning and Development Co- Ordinator on (0506) or by - edwina.doran@mhb.ie or siobhan.regan@mhb.ie. Retirement Planning Seminars range of areas that will be important in retirement. The topics include A positive approach to change in retirement Lump sum investment opportunities Personal Taxation Leisure opportunities Health, diet and exercise Wills and inheritance Social Welfare entitlements and pensions The seminars are facilitated by the Retirement Planning Council and Retirement & Life Planning Services. There are also a number of independent specialists who attended to provide information on many of the areas of importance in retirement. Special thanks to Joe Walsh, in the Superannuation Section of the HR Department, who provided a valuable input into these seminars. For further information on the above, please contact Edwina Doran, Corporate Learning and Development Manager or Siobhan Regan, Corporate Learning and Development Co- Ordinator on (0506) or by - edwina.doran@mhb.ie or siobhan.regan@mhb.ie Anne Rigney Mills and Geraldine Cleary at the Induction Workshop in the Bridge House. PAYMENT UNDER THE PROGRAMME FOR PROSPERITY & FAIRNESS The current agreement, Programme for Prosperity & Fairness (PPF) Provided for 5.5% October % October % October 2002 This was subsequently amended to give a further 2% from April 2001 and a lump sum worth 1% of basic pay in April The Minister for Health & Children has now conveyed approval for this once - off lump sum equal to 1% of basic pay. The payment will be made to those in employment on the 1st April Employees on leave schemes such as holidays or availing of their entitlements including maternity leave will be entitled to payment. Employees on career breaks will not be entitled to payment. Pensioners will also receive the lump sum based on 1% of the annual amount of pension payable on the 1st April The calculation of the 1% lump sum will also include the following allowances, shift, acting, special certificate, extra allowances, location allowances, qualification allowances and red circle allowances. In consultation with the Finance Department, the following are the agreed pay dates for payment of this lump sum for the various employee groups. Permanent Officers 30th May 2002 Temporary Officers 15th June 2002 Non Officers 23rd May 2002 Part time Home Helps 24th May 2002 Pensioners 17th May 2002 Kay Kennedy, Stephen Cahalan, Sheila Gavin and Betty O Brian at the Induction Workshop. Corporate Induction A multidisciplinary team has been established to deliver a Corporate Induction Programme to new employees of the Midland Health Board. Two days training has been undertaken by this team in presentation skills and content learning. Employees who have commenced employment with the Board within the last 12 months will be invited to attend a Corporate Induction Day. The first induction is due to commence in May A list of dates will be made available in the near future. For further information on the above, please contact Edwina Doran, Corporate Learning and Development Manager or Siobhan Regan, Corporate Learning and Development Co- Ordinator on (0506) or by - edwina.doran@mhb.ie or siobhan.regan@mhb.ie Mr. Joe Martin, Hospital Manager making a presentation to Anthony Scally marking his retirement after 35 years service, front row (l to r): Anthony Scally, Michael Keogh, Joe Martin. Middle row: Brendan Mulligan, William Reilly, Adrian Lee, Stephen Cahalan. Back row: William Evans, Charlie Caton, Johnny Duncan, Pat McDermott, Paul Murtagh, Dermot Seery, Jimmy Curran (hidden) and Brendan Cuskelly.

4 Twenty-six schools in Laois and 42 in Offaly took part in the Oral Health Promotion Project, organised by the Laois/Offaly Dental Department. DENTAL DEPARTMENT Oral Health Promotion Project The programme was a competition based on the title How food and drink effect our teeth. The contest entailed the children completing a project on a blank white Claire O Keeffe-Rigney, Dental Nurse, Midland Health Board with Don Conroy and the project from Scoil Mhuire, Portlaoise, runners up in the Midland Health Board Oral Health competition. board provided to each school. The first prize was a cheque for 1,000 and second prize a cheque for 500. There were first and second prizes for both Laois and Offaly. To raise the profile of the competition and the children s awareness, Mr Don Conroy (Artist and Television personality from The Den ) agreed to act as independent judge and attend the prize giving. The standard was very high with the pupils displaying a high level of knowledge on the subject, explained Dr Maria Kenny, Principal Dental Surgeon. In Offaly, Ballyboy National School came first and Ballinamere National School came second and Cloneygowan NS and St Joseph s NS Tullamore were highly commended. In Laois, Arles NS came first and Scoil Mhuire NH cam second, Knock NS and Pike of Rushall NS were highly commended. Liam O Callaghan, CONGRATULATIONS ON HAPPY HEART AWARD Congratulation to the canteen staff at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, who have been awarded the Happy Heart award. The initial audit was carried out on March 22, by Janis Morrissey, Irish Heart Foundation, and the second audit was carried out on Friday April 19, following which the award was granted. The award is the result of a lot of hard work, enthusiasm and commitment by all staff involved. Well done to everybody involved. General Manager Community Care, members of the Dental Department and Mr Don Conroy attended the prize At Arles National School for the presentation of plaque and cheque for 1000 won by 2nd class in the Laois Midland Health Board Oral Health competition. Stephen Lawlor, Emma Delaney and Darragh Gillick show their project with Dr. Maria Kenny, Principal Dental Surgeon; Liam O Callaghan, General Manager Community Services, Midland Health Board; Don Conroy and John Lee, Senior Dental Surgeon, Midland Health Board. giving, where Mr Conroy entertained everyone by sketching, storytelling and emphasising the importance of a healthy 3 diet and healthy teeth. Overall the entire exercise was deemed a success. Well done to everybody involved. DIPLOMA IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY Sixteen Emergency Medical Technicians from the Board s Ambulance Service were among over 100 E.M.T.s from around the country who were conferred with a Diploma in Emergency Medical Technology by the Faculty of Medicine, University College Dublin. Ninety per cent of the Board s E.M.T.s have now achieved this level of training with more in the pipeline. Professor Muiris Fitzgerald, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine said he was very proud to be associated with the Ambulance Service and was looking forward to the introduction of a Degree programme. SALARY INFORMATION CARDS FOR STAFF A very attractive wallet sized fold-up card giving useful information on pay as well as a guide to the payslip has been issued to all staff. The Regional Partnership Committee sponsored this initiative and the Finance department prepared the content. The card was produced in response to feedback in many separate consultations with staff that highlighted issues around calculation of pay and interpretation of payslips. It is hoped that this information will go some way in answering the many queries. However staff are invited to submit comments and suggestions for improvements which can be taken on board at a future date for a reissue. Comments can be made to any member of the Regional Partnership Committee or the salaries department. Standing, L-R: Mark Finlay, E.M.T., Athlone; Darren Mulledy, E.M.T., Athlone; Colin Petticrew, E.M.T., Mullingar; Brendan Owens, E.M.T., Athlone; Keith Hayes, E.M.T., Mullingar; Gerry Glynn, E.M.T., Athlone; Paul Antcliff, E.M.T., Portlaoise; Professor Muiris Fitzgerald, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, U.C.D.; Gerry Clarke, Leading E.M.T., Longford; Mr. Larry Bane, Director of Professional Standards and External Relations, Midland Health Board; Martin Mulvey, E.M.T., Longford; Hillary Collins, E.M.T., Athlone; Paul Parker, E.M.T., Longford; Gabriel Parker, E.M.T., Longford; Albert Coffey, E.M.T., Longford. Kneeling, L-R: Edel Quinn, E.M.T., Athlone; Cora Brady, E.M.T., Tullamore; Antoinette McIntyre, E.M.T., Tullamore; Mr. Philip Lane, Chief Ambulance Officer, MHB Ambulance Service; Robert Morton, Operations Officer, MHB Ambulance Service.

5 4 Traveller Health - A National Strategy The Traveller Health National Strategy was launched by Minister Micheal Martin TD in February. The need for the strategy was identified by the Task Force Report on Travellers published in The Report recommended that a Traveller Health Advisory Committee be appointed by the Minister for Health and that it s brief should include the drawing up of a national strategy to improve the health status of the Traveller Community. The strategy recognises that Travellers have a right to appropriate access to healthcare services, which take into account their particular needs, culture and way of life. The involvement of Travellers themselves is acknowledged as crucial in bridging the gap between the Traveller community and the health services. This has been achieved to some extent through the involvement of Travellers and Traveller organisations on the Traveller Health Advisory Committee and in the Traveller Health Units and Primary Care for Travellers Projects and will be further developed through the implementation of the actions proposed in the strategy itself. There are 122 actions proposed in the Traveller Health Strategy to be developed and implemented over the next 3 years. These actions can be broadly summarised as follows: Establishment of active partnerships between Travellers, their representative organisations and health service personnel in the provision of health services. Provision of Awareness Training for health personnel in relation to Traveller culture, including Traveller perspectives on health and illness. Strengthening of the Traveller Health Units within the Health Boards, specifically the responsibility for planning and implementing the Strategy within the health boards. Development of initiatives to increase Travellers awareness of general medical services and to make services more accessible, taking account of Travellers lifestyle Provision of Designated Public Health Nurses to work specifically with Traveller communities. A Traveller Needs Assessment and Health Status Study will be completed, the results of which will inform appropriate actions on Travellers health. Replication of the successful Primary Health Care for Travellers Projects, which established a model for Traveller participation in the development of health services Establishment of an appropriate liaison arrangement between the Department of Health and Children, Department of the Environment and Local Government with representatives from the Traveller communities and Organisations to address issues of concern relating to Travellers. The Minister stressed his Department s commitment to fully implementing this Strategy within the stated timeframe (up to the end of 2005). The Government has approved 8.2 million over this three -year period to implement the strategy. The Traveller Health Unit was established within the Midland Health Board in Dr. Phil Jennings, Specialist in public health, chairs the unit. The unit meets quarterly and has representation from the Midland Health Board,Traveller support organisations, Travellers and services. Two staff Ms. Geri Quinn, Senior Health Promotion Officer, and Ms. Donna Haughey, Health Promotion Projects Officer were recruited in 2001 to develop and manage the function of the unit. The unit co-ordinates specific Projects established to address Travellers health and access to health services within the Midland Health Board Region. The Traveller Health Unit welcomes the publication of the Traveller Health Strategy and will be discussing the actions proposed at its next meeting in May. The Traveller Health Unit has already commenced work on many of the actions proposed in the Strategy and will be reviewing progress on these and identifying priority actions for the next three years to implement the Strategy. The roll-out of the Strategy through the Board will be facilitated by the members of the Unit in a series of Workshops in June- July Copies of the Traveller Health A National Strategy can be requested from the Health Promotion Unit For further information on the Strategy please contact Ms. Geraldine Quinn, Senior Health Promotion Officer, Travellers Health Unit, New Recruitment Manager Paddy Duggan has been appointed Recruitment Manager for the Midland Health Board. Paddy, a native of Clonakilty, Co. Cork, joins the Midland Health Board from CPL. Recruitment Consultants where he held the position of Regional Manager. Prior to this he worked with Aer Rianta International in HR and Operational roles. In his new role Paddy will be looking at the changes required in the Board s employee resourcing strategies so as it continues to be The Employer of Choice. At the Induction Workshop in the Bridge House (l to r): Lilly Doolin, Moira Tysell, Richard Walsh and Anne Masterson. Tax Year PAYE Information Revised Certificates of Tax Credits for 2002 are currently being issued by the Revenue Commissioners which incorporate the changes announced in the Budget in December These details have been issued directly to the Board and will be implemented on various paydates during March/April Relief for Trade Union Subscriptions came into effect from 6th April The Board supplied details to the Revenue Commissioners of all employees from whom Trade Union subscriptions were being deducted from their payroll in December Your revised certificate should include a credit for your Trade Union subscription. If you have not received a credit in your certificate you should contact Lo Call quoting your P.P.S. number advising them of the omission. The following table sets out the main personal tax credits and P.R.S.I. rates for 2002: INCOME TAX CREDITS Single Person 1,520 Married Couple 3,040 Single Parent - (Additional) 1,520 One income married couple with qualifying dependents 770 PAYE Allowance 660 Incapacitated Child 500 Blind Person 800 Both Spouses Blind 1,600 Dependent Relative 60 Age Allowance (65 years and over) - Single/Widowed Married 410 INCOME TAX MARGINAL RATE Care of Incapacitated Person 30,000 Medical Expenses: Individual (excess over) 125 Family (excess over) 250 Rent a Room 7,620 MORTGAGE INTEREST Maximum Allowance First Mortgage Taken Out Pre 6/4/98 Post 6/4/98 Single Person 2,540 3,175 Married Couple 5,080 6,350 Widowed Person 5,080 6,350 Relief is granted at standard rate of 20% and will usually be granted by the lender INCOME TAX RATES Single Single Married Married Rate Parent Both working 1-28, , , ,000* 20% Balance Balance Balance Balance 42% *assuming each spouse earns at least 19,000 PRSI RATES AND LEVIES Employee - Class A1 PRSI Levies Employer Employee Employee (Income Limit) (Income Limit) (Income Limt) Up to 28/2/ % (No limit) 4% ( 38,740) 2% (No Limit) From 1/3/ % (No limit) 4% ( 38,740) 2% (No Limit) Notes: No Levies on income of 14,923 p.a. or less Employer s PRSI 8.5% on salaries less than 18,512 p.a. First 127 p.w. (non cumulative) i.e. 6,604 p.a. ignored when calculating employee s PRSI

6 Partnership Committees in Acute Hospitals Initial training is currently underway of the new Partnership committees which have been set up in the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar, at Tullamore and at Portlaoise. Each committee will have about 20 members selected in equal measure of staff/unions and 5 At the Partnership Training Session in Mullingar, back row (l to r): Pat McDermot, Valerie Hand, Moss McCormack, Janet Murray, Mary Wlash, Carol Bear, Maura Finch, Charlie Katon. Front row: Norma Mullen, Joe Martin, Ann Kelly, Catherine Tormey and Marie Prendergast. The strategy contains a number of objectives relating to the overall resourcing (staffing) of the Board. The Strategic objectives relating to recruitment are concerned with seeking to devolve more and more recruitment to line managers so that filling vacancies will be more in the hands of service managers and less centrally controlled (this will take time, however, as the health services are still bound by national agreements and regulations in many areas relating to recruitment, and because the Board needs to ensure that line managers are adequately supported to undertake recruitment at local level). At the Partnership Training Session in Portlaoise, back row (l to r): Donal Brennan, Noel Brennan, Martin Gleeson. Middle row: Margaret Parkinson, Kieran Madden, Liz Ryan, Dolores Booth, Mairead Hogan, Ger Monaghan. Front row: Jacki McNulty, Noelle Dunne and Maureen Condon. THE HUMAN RESOURCE STRATEGY One of the key tenets of the strategy is a greater focus on performance management, including feedback to staff (in teams and/or individually). This will enable greater recognition of performance improvements and, in particular, the recognition of good performance. There will also be a focus on developing line managers so that their management style enables them to use their rightful discretion in managing their staff, in other words, to use all of the rewards that are available and to customise their approaches to recognise and/or rectify differing levels of performance. The Strategy also proposes that the Board investigate the possibility of introducing a Merit Award scheme to honour exceptionally good team/individual performance. The Strategy covers all the staff of the Board. With regard to Consultants, however, there are different contractual arrangements covering their appointment and employment and they have, in some areas, differing rights and responsibilities. With regard to issues relating to management style, it is expected that everyone with a responsibility for managing people would be expected to adhere to the principles of good practice that are incorporated in the Strategy. Pictured at a presentation of the Human Resources Strategy are (l to r): Ms. Helen Moloney, Presenter; Mr. Ollie Macken, Ms. Eileen McLavin and Ms. Geraldine O Keeffe. management. The selection procedure followed intensive information days held before Christmas on each site, which gave staff the opportunity to learn about Partnership and to consider with their colleagues and unions who their representatives should be. A broad range The HR Strategy is intended to devolve more of the day-to-day management of people to line managers. This may seem like it will add to the workload of these managers but the reason that the devolution is taking place is to devolve more control to line managers, control over aspects of HR management that are adding to their current workload/stress levels at present such as completing staff-related paperwork, joining the queue for services that are currently centrally administered, not being sure how to handle certain types of situations, feeling unprepared or untrained for people management. It is intended that the Strategy would be evaluated after its threeyear life span and line managers/service managers will be involved in this evaluation - if the Strategy has not addressed some of these issues in that time-frame, steps will be taken to explore these issues further and to put further measures in place to address them. The purpose of the Strategy is to aspire to change the way in which people (human resources) are managed within the Board, to make the Board a first-class employer MIDLAND HEALTH BOARD GOLF OUTING TULLAMORE GOLF CLUB, FRIDAY, 10th MAY 2002 Diary Date of staff areas and disciplines are represented on each committee. Feedback from participants who have completed the training is very positive about what Partnership can offer as a way forward. A very comprehensive list of suitable issues that can be tackled was identified enabling all staff to grow to their full potential through continual learning and participation in the planning and delivery of services. So, yes, the Strategy is deliberately aspirational and the aspirations will not be reached without a good deal of change at all levels throughout the Board. Your help is needed to make sure that these objectives become real! This is not to say that it is purely aspirational though. Detailed objectives have been set for each of the six areas that are covered by the Strategy (Performance Management, Training and Development, Resourcing, Involvement and Communication, Reward and Recognition, and Organisational Development) and these will be the focus of attention of the new Director of Human Resources and of the Corporate Learning and Development Manager. It is expected that there will be changes in the following areas: The way people are managed, from recruitment through to retirement (the specifics of these changes are detailed under the six areas of the Strategy: Performance Management, Training and Development, Resourcing, during the training day. Each committee will now have the task of prioritising the work agenda. This job will probably be undertaken at the first meetings of the committees, the dates for which are Portlaoise on the 10th April, Tullamore on 24th April and Mullingar on 25th April. Involvement and Communication, Reward and Recognition, and Organisational Development); The level of involvement of staff in the planning and delivery of services; Improved levels of motivation and morale through increased attention to career development, performance improvement, management style, and resourcing issues; Improved support and assistance to staff in times of crisis; Improvements in performance - taking more of the bugs out of the system ; The location of people management (more in the hands of line managers and teams than centrallymanaged); Better anticipation and advance planning in relation to ensuring that the Board has the right people in the right numbers in the right places doing the right work; Making the Board a healthier, more inclusive and more fulfilling place to work. Clarification: Targets pertaining to the establishment of a human resource committee, action learning programme mentoring and coaching programme, described in the February Newsletter, applied only to the Health Promotion Services and not as was implied to the Human Resources Department. For time sheets Tel:

7 6 National Physical & Sensory Disability Database The Midland Health Board in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children is currently involved in developing a National Physical and Sensory Disability Database. Breda Crehan-Roche, Directory of Services for Persons with Disabilities, Midland Health Board, explains that the overall objective of the database is to provide a picture of the specialised health and personal social service needs of people with a physical or sensory disability Every effort is being made by the Board and the Voluntary Agencies to contact people within the Board s area who meet the Board makes every every effort to contact persons who meet criteria criteria and to invite them to participate in the database exercise. Individuals who are not contacted, but feel they meet the criteria and would like to be involved should contact the Disability Database Office on Lo-Call: or (0506) Information will be collected on current service provision and future service developments. An information leaflet Planning Services for People with Disabilities: A Guide to the Physical and Sensory Disability Database is available. This provides greater detail about the purpose of the database, the information contained on it and individual rights in relation to its development. For further information, or to request a copy of the information leaflet, contact the Disability Database Resource officers on: Telephone: (0506) 26369\26371 Lo-Call Number: mary.dunphy@mhb.ie or deirdre.molloy@mhb.ie Address: Disability Database Office, Regional Disability Services, Arden Road, Tullamore, Co Offaly. Qualifications in the areas of Rehabilitation and Disability Management The awarding of a National Chair of Disability Studies to University College Dublin by the National Disability Authority acknowledges the high quality of the academic endeavours of the University in professional development and research in the field of disability. Rehabilitation Studies welcomes the appointment of Dr Noonan Walsh to this post. The Rehabilitation Studies Programme offers three post graduate qualifications in the areas of rehabilitation and disability management. * The Higher Diploma in Social & Vocational Rehabilitation is designed to cater for people from a wide range of professional backgrounds who are working in the fields of social\vocational rehabilitation or disability management at work. These include occupational therapists, physiotherapists, trainers, teachers, social workers. vocational officers, psychologists, counsellors, managers, administrators and planners of services. This part time programme runs for two years. * The Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Studies aims to impart the core knowledge, skills and attitudes required for the effective delivery of rehabilitation services within the community. It is a two-year part time programme of study leading to the award of MSc Rehabilitation Studies. * The MSc (Disability Management) is a specialist research postgraduate degree designed to assist disability professionals to develop expertise in areas crucial to the economic and social integration of people with disabilities. From the Midland Health Board with Minister Micheal Martin TD Minister for Health and Children, at the launch in Dublin, from left; Ms Breda Crehan-Roche, Director of Disability Services; Mary Doherty and Josephine Rigney. How & When to Contact Your Ambulance Service The ambulance service has four specific functions. To provide emergency care and transport to the victims of sudden illness or injury To provide emergency care and transport between hospitals To provide non-amblient patient transport services To provide the Health Services primary response to Major Incidents The Ambulance Service is there to help you in life threatening and serious medical emergencies or traumatic injuries. DIAL 999 OR 112 IMMEDIATELY FOR EMERGENCIES SUCH AS: CHEST PAIN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS SERIOUS FALLLS INDUSTRIAL AGRICUTLURAL ACCIDENTS DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING LOSS OF COUSCIOUSNESS SEVERE LOSS OF BLOOD CHOKING FITTING/ CONVULSIONS. DROWNING SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS Have you ever needed an ambulance? Did you know what to do? Simple guide that will help us to help you. Before you phone, write down the location of the emergency and the telephone number that you are calling from. This may sound obvious, but in a crisis it s the simple things that are forgotten. The first person you speak to will be the Eircom or Telephone Company operator who will ask: Which service do you require? Ask for the Ambulance Service, the operator may ask you what county you are in. You will hear a ringing tone while the operator connects to the Ambulance Control Centre. The operator will give the Ambulance Control Centre your number and you will then speak to an Ambulance Controller who will ask you the following questions: Your phone number, Please repeat Where exactly? do you want the ambulance to go What is the problem there? Stay on the line- The ambulance is being dispatched as you speak. You will be asked some details about the condition of the patient or patients and the nature of the emergency. This information will be sent to the crew while they are travelling to you. The Ambulance cotnroller may officer advice that will allow you to help the patient while the ambulance is on route to you. Do not hang up until you are told to do so by the ambulance controller. Try to stay calm Here are some other tips that can help: Keep a look out for the ambulance. The address may not be as obvious to the Emergency Medical Technicians as you may think. If possible, get someone to meet the ambulance and show them where the emergency is. If it is dark, leave a light on. This will help make your house more obvious at night. And finally, remember, before we can help you we have to find you. Make sure we can read your house name or number from the road or street - day or night. Further information from: Programme Administrator Rehabilitation Studies, University College Dublin, Blackrock Campus, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin Telephone (01) socvocre@ucd.ie Fax: (01) Tracking a call at the Ambulance Control Centre.

8 MANAGING NUTRITION FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN LONG STAY CARE Another first for the MHB 7 Quality and Fairness - the new Health Strategy requires service providers to deliver responsive and appropriate care for older people. Addressing quality of life issues is one of the central objectives of the Health Strategy. Good nutrition is a key determinant of good health. Malnutrition in older people can lead to disability, reduced quality of life, increased cost of care and can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. Responding to this Health Strategy goal, the Midland Health Board have published, Managing Nutrition for Older People in Long Stay Care. The very informative publication compiled by Ms. Mary Mulvihill and Ms. Siobhan Pyper, was officially launched by Mr Denis Doherty, his last official function before he resigned from the Board on February 28. In his address, to the group, Mr Doherty spoke of the importance of this publication as a valuable resource for service providers. It is the first publication of its kind in the Irish Health Service and recognises the commitment of the Midland Health Board in promoting good nutrition for the older person in residential centres and hospitals. The book focuses on standards for the provision of good food, patient feeding, nutritional screening, monitoring, education and training needs. In addition it deals with common nutritional problems in a practical and simple way. Dr. Phil Jennings representing Dr. Pat Doorley, at the launch, spoke of the need for good nutrition for the older person and how poor diet can contribute to a number of health problems. These include constipation and digestive disorders, anaemia, bone disorders including osteoporosis, osteomalacia, poor wound healing, pressure sores and increased risk of infection. Ms. Mary Mulvihill, gave a presentation on the background and contents of the book. The guidelines in the document were piloted in Athlone District Hospital with successful outcomes. Mary commented that there is a need for clearly defined roles and responsibilities of Pictured at the launch, (l to r): Dr. Phil Jennings; Sheelagh Canavan, Manager Physiotherapy Services Longford/Westmeath; Ms. Ann Masterson, Administrator, St. Loman s Hospital; Mr. Joe Martin, Administrator, Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; Ms. Yvonne Dowler, Catering Projects Manager and Mr. Denis Doherty. Certificate in Education for Child Protection The Midland Health Board in partnership with the Education Department at University College Dublin (UCD), has just launched the pilot phase of a new university validated Certificate in Education for Child Protection (NUI Cert. ECP). This is the first of its kind in Ireland and initially is being offered to staff within the Midland Health Board who are members of the multidisciplinary child protection training team and to a number of members of An Garda Síochána who are part of that training team. The course has been in development since last summer and is intended to recognise the important role First in Ireland of the Board s multidisciplinary team in training for child protection. This accreditation process will ensure the highest level of service delivery to participants of the child protection training programmes offered by the Midland Health Board. Investing in developing the Cert. ECP is part of the Midland Health Board s commitment to continued professional development for its staff and to the provision of the highest quality inservice training. The Board is initially sponsoring 11 members of the multidisciplinary training team on this Certificate course, and they will be joined by three members of An Garda Síochána, drawn from the two Garda divisions of Longford/Westmeath and Laois/Offaly. The pilot course is being jointly co-ordinated by Ms. Fionnuala Greening, A/Coordinator of Child Care for the Midland Health Board and Dr. Conor Galvin, Education Department, UCD. The project is being built on a very hands-on, self directed style of learning with participants attending a series of linked workshops and taught sessions over nine to twelve months, in order to complete a portfolio of practice in the area of child protection. It is being facilitated by Ms.Greening, Mr. Charney Weitzman From Laois, pictured at the launch of the Midland Health Board s information book on Managing Nutrition for Older People in Long Stay Care, by Mr. Denis Doherty, Chief Executive Officer, (l to r): John Cregan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer; Margaret Gorman, St. Brigid s Hospital, Shaen; Margaret Dunne, Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; Paula Tiernan, St. Vincent s, Mountmellick; Breeda Dowling, St. Vincent s, Mountmellick; Cheryl Earley, Director of Nursing, St. Brigid s Hospital, Shaen and Mr. Doherty. each staff group involved in nutrition care and support of the patients. Education and Training can be the key motivating factor in influencing best practice. A generic audit checklist has been designed compatible with the guidelines so as to enable catering practices and nutritional care to be audited on a regular basis. This ensures continual high standards of nutritional care. Ms. Siobhan Pyper developed the undernutrition riskscreening tool and gave a very informative and interesting presentation on the downward spiralling effect of malnutrition on the older persons health. Malnutrition (Information and Advice Person - Children First), Ms. Marion Weaver (Training Officer - Regional Child Care Unit), and by Dr Galvin and colleagues from UCD. UCD Education has a long tradition of working with professionals in the education and training area, however this is its first venture into community and if recognised can and should be treated successfully yet doctors and nurses often fail to recognise it. This simple validated screening tool can be used to identify those at risk of malnutrition so that preventative measures can be put in place. This book will be a valuable resource to assist catering, nursing, dietitians and hospital management in providing a good standard of nutritional care. This is the first of three publications in respect of nutritional guidelines for hospital catering services. The Catering Project is currently working on nutritional guidelines for the acute distance learning. In order to develop the pilot course, the Department has linked up with the University Industry Programme who are advising on content and structure. It is envisaged that upon the successful completion of the pilot project, this Certificate in Education for Child Protection course will become available on a national basis. This initiative hospital sector. The Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore is the nominated pilot site. Ms. Yvonne Dowler thanked the many people who had contributed to the publication.the general managers of Community Care for funding the book and the Health Promotion Unit for funding the cover design and the venue for the launch. Ms Pauline Igoe for assisting in organising in launch and Aishling Scally for secretarial services. Yvonne also acknowledged the ongoing support and commitment of Mr. John Cregan, CEO, Project Sponsor and Mr. John Bulfin, Chairperson of the Catering Project. Pictured at the launch of the Certificate in Education for Child Protection, (l to r): Ms. Niamh Daly O Brien, Assistant House Parent; Ms. Teresa Coyne, Community Child Care Worker; Mr. Aidan Waterstone, Director of Child Care Services; Dr. Conor Galvin, University College, Dublin; Ms. Chris Foley, Staff Nurse, Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore and Mrs. Vera Abbott, Family Support Worker, Tullamore. reflects the Midland Health Board s commitment to the highest standard of quality and service provision through accredited training and development. It also reflects UCD Education Department s commitment to further developing the university s community and outreach mission as the Department moves towards its centenary year.

9 8 CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Integration of Clinical Audit, Risk Management and Quality Facilitation As part of the Board s drive to implement a culture of Continuous Quality Improvement, Risk Management and Clinical Audit, a Continuous Quality Improvement conference was held in Mullingar. The theme of this conference was Continuous Quality Improvement through the integration of Clinical Audit, Risk Management and Quality Facilitation. The primary objective for the day was that as many staff as possible from the Board would learn and understand how the three functions of Quality, Risk Management and Clinical Audit will link together to achieve sustainable improvements in patient care under the leadership of Corporate Fitness. Approximately 130 members of staff from across all care groups attended. Dr. Pat Doorley, Director of Public Health and Corporate Planning, opened the conference and welcomed all present. He stressed the importance for CQI, Risk Management and Clinical Audit in the Board and of the need for all staff to participate in these processes. He spoke of the increasing insurance costs, increasing litigation and as a result, the increasing pressures on health boards and staff to identify areas of poor quality and risk as early as possible and act on them immediately. Mary Culliton, Director of Corporate Fitness, spoke about the first year and the future of Corporate Fitness, introducing the various elements and the members of her team. She continued by describing the dimensions of quality valued by both the service user and staff, and the need for all staff to adopt a CQI approach in their day to day work, to enable these values to become a reality. Mary described the objectives that had been set for 2001 and the resulting developments e.g. the development of clinical audit and risk management, the establishment of a communications group to produce a communications strategy and action plan Launch of the Quality Strategy and development of an action plan Establishment of an implementation team to prioritise the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Health and Safety in the health services Establishment of a project team to consult and develop the Comment, Enquiry, Complaint and Appeal (CECA) system. The objectives and action plans for 2002 were also detailed. These include the roll-out of the Quality Strategy, Risk Management Strategy, Communication Strategy, Human Resource Strategy, health and safety and CECA. Mary concluded by describing good leaders as those having the ability to empower others and place decision-making authority in the hands of those with the appropriate expertise. This description of leadership complements one of the objectives of the Quality Strategy which states that decision making should be allowed at the level most appropriate to the importance of the task. Mary acknowledged the work carried out by Breda Crehan Roche, Director of Disability Services for her great work in promoting quality improvement in the Board, prior to leaving the post of Quality Co-ordinator in Mr. John M. Ryan, guest speaker, a consultant from the Accident and Emergency Department, St. Vincents University Hospital, Dublin, spoke about Risk Management in Emergency Medicine. Mr. Ryan described areas of risk in emergency medicine, explored options for their management, listed some local solutions to risk management problems and reviewed some true incident scenarios. In relation to areas of risk in emergency medicine, Mr. Ryan described risks associated with: Junior / Inexperienced Staff Poor or no clinical supervision Poor documentation Communications difficulties Lack of accessible protocols and guidelines No feedback mechanism on incident findings Poor management of patient hand over Unscheduled returns of patients to accident and emergency departments and The problem of patients not waiting for treatment In relation to things that can go wrong causing risk in Accident and Emergency Medicine, Mr. Ryan discussed the problems of: Misdiagnosis Failure to admit Drug problems Mismanagement Injury to patients Bad attitudes He emphasised that while good things happen when planned, bad things happen by themselves. In relation to managing risks in accident and emergency departments, Mr. Ryan focused on the importance of: Identifying what can and does go wrong Measuring the frequency of incidents Instituting changes to prevent recurrence Auditing the results of these changes He described effective tools for managing risks as follows: Proactive solutions in preference to reactive solutions Engender a blame free culture Encourage incident reporting Involve service users Establish clear lines of accountability Monitor litigation Mr Ryan advocated the following when dealing with incidents; Acknowledge complaints Confirm that an investigation of the incident / complaint will occur Admit an error if one was made Apologise in the case of an Pictured at the Conference (l to r): Fiona Mahon, Midlands Regional Hospital at Tullamore; Bernadette Kerry, Nurse Practice Development Co-Ordinator; Dr. John M. Ryan, St. Vincent s Hospital; Dr. Gerard Crotty, Consultant Haematologist; Miriam O Callaghan, Project Manager for new General Hospital, Tullamore and Orlaith O Brien, Director of Nursing at the Midlands Regional Hospital at Tullamore. Pictured at the Conference (l to r): Jacquie McNulty, Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; Kate Brickley, Health Promoting Hospitals Co-Ordinator; Catherine O Keeffe, Director of Nursing, St. Vincent s; Dr. Ronnie Augustine, St. Fintan s; Noel Brennan, Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise and P.J. Smyth, Primary Care. error Demonstrate what actions were taken to rectify the problem Show why the incident will never happen again He then proceeded to demonstrate some local risk management initiatives that were in place in the Accident and Emergency Department at St. Vincents University Hospital including the following: An electronic E-med Induction programme for senior house officers in Emergency Medicine The CRIME system for Critical Incident Monitoring in Emergency Medicine for collecting information anonymously about critical incidents that arise in emergency medicine departments. Finally, Mr. Ryan outlined eight real case scenarios which culminated in incidents, and showed solutions to the problem causes of these incidents that should be implemented to prevent recurrence of the incidents. Following this, Dr. Samantha Hughes, Quality Facilitator with Board spoke about the implementation of Continuous Quality Improvement throughout the Board. Samantha commended the strong history of quality improvement in the Board but said that at present, a large amount of this quality improvement is carried out quietly. That the results, lessons and benefits gained from these improvement projects are not always shared with other parts of the Board and that recognition is not always given where the quality of the service has been improved. Samantha then described the concepts involved in CQI. CQI requires the involvement of: All levels of staff (Total Involvement), Focus on the service user Improvement of the whole process. These concepts must then be supported by elements such as * Leadership * Education and training A. Quality Management Cycle Take action / problem solve Present and analyse performance data * Supportive Structure * Communications * Reward and recognition * Measurement Samantha explained that CQI simply means doing what we do a little better everyday. It is a proactive, structured and systematic approach to solving problems and the goal of CQI is not to blame people but to get to the root causes of these problems. CQI requires the participation of multidisciplinary teams. The key to CQI is that it accomplishes quality improvement by small step improvements - one small improvement at a time until the problem has been resolved. Samantha demonstrated two cycles that may be used in CQI to aid in the process of quality Select Quality Features B. Process Improvement Cycle Implement solutions and evaluate Develop and test ideas Define Problem improvement, these are the Quality Management Cycle (A) and the Process Improvement Cycle (B) Understand Why Formulate standards: For service user Professional Management Quality Measure and document performance against standards Identify and document the process Measure performance Samantha continued by explaining that there are three questions that we need to ask when improving our services: What are we trying to accomplish? How will we know that a change is an improvement? What changes can we make that will result in an improvement? She stressed that while all improvements require change, not all changes are an improvement. Therefore, to ensure that a change is an improvement, the usefulness of the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle in assessing the effectiveness of change was demonstrated. Plan (change), Do (put change in place), Study (if the change is an improvement), Act (if

10 9 improvement shown then enforce the change, if not then make another change). Samantha spoke about difficulties associated with change and emphasised the importance of ensuring that all staff are involved, are given ownership of quality improvement initiatives in their areas of responsibility, are supported, encouraged and are provided with the skills necessary to carry out quality improvements. She finished by posing a number of questions to the audience: Is data being collected to highlight areas of poor quality or to show that a change is an improvement? Are you aware of what your service users require from your service? Are you constantly ensuring that you are meeting the needs of the service user as much as possible? Are you making best use of resources, maximum use with maximum benefit? Ms. Cora McCaughan, Healthcare Risk Manager with Board, gave a presentation on the need for healthcare risk management, the proposed policy framework for managing healthcare risks and the plan for the implementation of this healthcare risk management policy. She outlined how, in spite of the fact that healthcare kills more people than aviation - it has much less well-developed systems for reducing error and improving safety. She further outlined that we have high levels of incidents occurring, but that there is probably gross under reporting of incidents. As a result of the many incidents that occur, the Board is paying out significant amounts for clinical malpractice and employer liability claims taken against it. It was shown that these costs and insurance premiums were only the tip of the iceberg in relation to the costs on incidents. Each time an incident occurs, it was demonstrated that there may be significant costs associated with: The cost of time lost managing and investigating incidents, The cost of unearned benefits paid to staff unable to work due to injuries sustained through their work The cost of replenishable medical supplies The uninsured costs of protracted hospital stays Maintenance costs incurred in the repair of damage caused by incidents, and the cost of repairing or replacing damaged equipment In relation to the proposed policy framework for the management of healthcare risks in the Board, Ms. McCaughan illustrated the aims of the framework as follows: To embrace a definition of healthcare risk management, which will ensure the integration of the management of all healthcare risks including clinical and occupational health and safety risks. To this end, the following proposed definition of healthcare risk management was tabled: Healthcare Risk Management is a process, which identifies hazards that put patients, staff and visitors safety at risk. It aims to eliminate hazards or reduce associated risks with a consequent improvement in patient, staff and visitor safety and service quality. To encourage a positive and supportive environment for healthcare risk management where there would be no place for laying blame of scape-goating To instil commitment from the most junior level within the organisation right up the level of the Chief Executive Officer Would ensure the allocation of resources for the satisfactory implementation of the Healthcare Risk Management Policy Show clear delegation of duties and responsibilities for every member of the organisation in relation to healthcare risk management Give clear guidance on the methods of managing healthcare risk to be used throughout the Board. The proposed model for managing healthcare risks throughout the board was then outlined. This gave due consideration to both the prevention, and the management of incidents. In relation to the prevention of incidents, the following four steps were highlighted 1. Hazard identification processes 2. Risk assessment processes 3. Control development and implementation processes 4. Evaluation and monitoring of controls and hazards processes The use of hazard control sheets for the recording and monitoring of hazard problems and agreed solutions was introduced at this point. In relation to managing incidents that occur, the following steps were highlighted: 1. The amelioration of harm caused by adverse incidents. 2. Incident management, reporting and investigation. 3. Claims management. Much emphasis was placed on a proposed tool for the assessment of risk. This tool pays due consideration to risk severity on the one hand, and risk probability on the other. It was advocated as a simple yet objective method of quantifying risk, and ensuring that priorities for action based on such a risk assessment would mean efficient use of resources, and management of risks. Finally, Cora described the organisational structure for managing healthcare risks in the Board. Majella Robinson, Clinical Audit Officer, spoke about the development of clinical audit in the Board since its initiation over 18 months ago, the development of staff, accommodation and organisational changes that have taken place in that time. Majella explained the audit process and the research process and then spoke about At the Conference (l to r): Yvonne Dowler, Project Manager Catering; Mary Culliton, Director of Corporate Fitness; Dr. Marie Houlihan and Veronica Larkin, Manager Speech and Language Therapy Services Longford/Westmeath. various issues affecting clinical audit such as the need for evidence, increasing patient expectation, and resources. She continued by talking about the challenges faced by the clinical audit team, achievements to date and the plans for the future. Project leaders from clinical audit projects were invited to the conference and personnel who had been involved in leading change in their particular area. This was also their day - an opportunity for them to present their own projects at the three parallel sessions that were held after lunch. Some of the projects presented were: Clinical Audit of the Effectiveness of Fine Needle Aspiration by Dr. Kevin At the Conference Dr. Gerard Crotty, Consultant Haematologist; Ann Kelly, Divisional Nurse Manager, Regional A&E; John Bulfin, Deputy CEO, Acute Hospitals and Cyrus Mobed, A&E Consultant. Cunnane Audit of Alcohol Admissions to St.Fintan s Hospital, Portlaoise by Dr R. Augustine. Evaluation of the Community Rehabilitation Unit by Jacinta Joyce Presentation of the Primary Health Care Project by two community health workers. This is a joint project between the health promotion department of the Board, Tullamore Traveller Movement and FAS. Feedback from these sessions was very positive with a welldistributed attendance and stimulating questions and answers afterwards. For some, this was their first time presenting in front of an audience that didn t consist solely of their peers - so an opportunity for personal development, which was well met. Two clients gave a joint presentation of one of the projects. It is hoped that client involvement will increase over the coming year as they provide us with valuable information to promote quality, risk management and clinical audit e.g. through comments and complaints, patient satisfaction measures etc. The Clinical Audit and Research Annual report for 2001 was also circulated on the day. Copies of this annual report will shortly be available in the hospital libraries and also on the Board s Intranet site. Dr. Ger Crotty, Consultant Haematologist with the Board, chaired the afternoon session. First speaker Ms. Ann O Driscoll, solicitor and medico-legal from St. Paul s Insurers who insure non consultant hospital doctors, spoke about the claims perspective of risk management. She emphasised the bad claims history of the Irish health sector, and cited the following as factors contributing to this bad history: Fragmented insurance Lack of management leadership Lack of clinical leadership Dysfunctional clinical teams The same errors recurring No corporate strategy for systematic service reviews / audits Lack of transparency No accountability Loss of public confidence in health services Costly litigation Ms. O Driscoll described three cases where the payouts from the resulting claims were significantly greater than the cost of managing the risks that would have prevented the incidents occurring, demonstrating the cost benefit of many risk management systems. She went on to describe an analysis of 40 medical-legal claims which showed that: 29 patients died 20 of these could have survived of the 11 surviving patients: 3 suffered serious avoidable neurological deficits 3 suffered avoidable intestinal resections 4 suffered several months of unnecessary ill-health 1 suffered a short but life threatening illnesses. Finally, Ms. O Driscoll showed that if we continue not to acknowledge mistakes, not to collect incident and near miss data, not to promote trust, and not to manage risks, we will not learn lessons to enable us to improve service quality and safety. We will become an organisation without a memory. Kate Brickley, Health Promoting Hospitals (HPH) Co-ordinator with the Board demonstrated the similarities between the mission statements of the Health Strategy, Midland Health Board and Health Promoting Hospitals. Health Promoting Hospitals aims to promote positive health and well being in the organisation and through the organisation to the wider community. The values that guide health promotion and the reasons for involvement with HPH were described. These reasons for involvement include: Hospitals are influential and effective health promotion agents Hospitals are highly visible shop-windows of Board values and that we should lead by example and walk the talk. The developments and the achievements of HPH to date were detailed including 27 projects that were presented nationally, a number of which have been accepted for the international HPH conference in Slovakia, later this year. Diarmuid Collins, Director of Finance, addressed the conference on the financial aspects of health service risk management. He explained that the Board s premiums have grown significantly over the past number of years and are now a strain on its finances. Among the main causes of claims in the Board under Public Liability are premises/ground defects; birth defects; mis-diagnosis and inadequate care. Under Employers liability the main causes of claims included: lifting/handling; back injury; assaults and premises/ground defects. He stated that immediate ways to help include: Medical records filing Written records of all aspects of care Develop and follow best practice Learn from near misses and complaints Take responsibility Put patient first always. The afternoon was completed with a very interesting question and answer session which proved to be most informative. Overall the feedback from the day was very positive. Comments made about the day have been taken on board and a full report of the evaluation will be available from the corporate fitness department. Not all of the evaluation sheets were received and any additional evaluation forms from the day would be most welcome. So overall it was felt that this was a worthwhile day and staff feedback on the day indicates that they would like to see more of this in the future. Finally, many thanks to all who participated on the day, particularly in the parallel sessions. Your efforts are an encouragement to all who are and will become involved in changing the culture for quality improvement, through CQI, risk management and clinical audit. Also special thanks to all those who were involved in organising the day and who helped out in so many different ways throughout the day. Thanks also to all of the speakers and all those who chaired the various sessions throughout the day.

11 10 National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery The executive staff of the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery, attended at the Midland Health Board in January for the first of it s Regional Meetings with the Directors of Nursing and other Heads of Services. The meeting was facilitated by the Board s Nursing & Midwifery, Planning and Development Unit (N.M.P.D.U.). Other than Directors of Nursing/Public Health Nursing, the meeting was well attended by other practising nurses and midwives from across the region. Mr. John Cregan, Chief Executive Officer, Midland Health Board, in his opening address highlighted the important role the National Council plays in supporting the professional and educational development of nursing and midwifery staff in the Board s area. A short presentation was given by Patrick Glackin on the role of the N.M.P.D.U. with specific emphasis on: Undergraduate Nursing Degree Programme Post Graduate Nursing/Midwifery Education Professional Development Workforce Planning Nursing and Midwifery Research Ms. Bernadette Kerry, Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator for Acute Hospital Services outlined her objectives for Practice Development across the Midland Regional Hospital sites. Ms. Yvonne O Shea, Chief Executive Officer for the National Council welcomed the opportunity to visit the Midland Health Board, stating that the importance on travelling to each Health Board region, to meet nurses and midwives, and to discuss issues relating to the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery. Ms. Kathleen MacLellan, Head of Professional Development and Ms. Mary Farrelly, Professional Development Officer, facilitated lively discussions on the following topics; Clinical Nurse Specialists/Clinical Midwife Specialist (CNS/CMS) posts, Job Descriptions/ Profiles for CNS/CMS posts, Advance Nurse Practitioners/Advance Continuing Education and Joint Projects, as well as topics of regional interest. The regional meetings will continue to take place biannually (Spring and Autumn), and the next meeting is arranged for May. Pictured at the Continuous Quality Improvement Conference, (l to r): Dr. Phil Jennings; Majella Robinson, Clinical Audit and Dolores Booth, Midlands Regional Hospital at Portlaoise. HAEMOVIGILANCE CONFERENCE The NEMERO working group organised a Haemovigilance Conference in Tullamore aimed at promoting the awareness of safety in transfusion therapy. The aim of haemovigilance is to promote safe transfusion practice. Following recommendations of the Finlay Tribunal, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (I.B.T.S.) established the National Haemovigilance Office in November In recent years most acute hospitals have appointed Transfusion Surveillance Officers at a local level to optimise safety of transfusion therapy. In short, this national system of surveillance and alarm will identify possible problematic effects of blood transfusions by reporting them efficiently in order to prevent their recurrence. The Conference was generously sponsored by the company Accuscience. The NEMERO working group includes Transfusion Surveillance Officers of the North East, Midlands and Eastern regions: Ms. Eimear Nally, Midland Regional Hospital at Tullamore, Ms. Patricia Gardiner, Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar, Mr. Jim Mc Namee, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Ms Mary Bedding, Cavan /Monaghan Hospitals, Ms. Ann Birch - Navan/Dundalk Hospitals, Ms. Phil Keane-Egan, National Haemovigilance Hospital, Dublin and Ms. Gretta Boyle/ Ms. Cathy Matthews, Blanchardstown Hospital, Dublin. The day itself was a huge success boasting an attendance of 145 healthcare professionals from various disciplines around the country. This included consultants, nursing staff, laboratory staff, transfusion surveillance officers, hospital managers, risk managers and also representation from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. Dr. Gerard Crotty Consultant Haematologist, with the Midland Health Board chaired the conference where a wide variety of topics were presented and discussed. Dr. Emer Lawlor, Consultant Haematologist, National Haemovigilance Office opened the day, discussing the evolution of haemovigilance and the status of the scheme. The reporting system is anonymised and confidential and adopts a no fault system. Frequency of adverse events varies from Circulatory overload being 1 : 200 to the risk of HIV in a blood transfusion being 1: 3.3 million, Hepatitis C Virus = 1:1million and Hepatitis B Virus = 1:500,000. In the National report 2000,31 of 85 reports received were that of Incorrect Blood Component Transfused and hence are classed as preventable errors. This highlights the need for every healthcare professional to have a responsibility toward giving the right patient, the right blood at the right time! Ms Ann Geaney, Transfusion Laboratory Technologist, St. James hospital, Dublin spoke on Safer Transfusion - How technology can help and highlighted how technology can make blood transfusion safer by electronically closing the transfusion loop. The need for positive patient identification is essential for safe transfusion. St. James Hospital are currently piloting a Blood Track System in order to reduce errors from initial sampling to the transfusion of the patient. Ms. Maura long, a recipient of an infected blood transfusion gave a personal account of how living with Hepatitis C has affected her life and that of her family. Maura is also chairperson of Transfusion Positive, the support and action group for people infected with Hepatitis C through contaminated blood and blood products. Dr. David Hill, Consultant Anaesthetist, Ulster Hospital made the journey down to give a very informative talk on Obstetric Haemorrhage and the vital need for every hospital to have a massive transfusion protocol in place. Dr. hill holds regular fire drills in his hospital to ensure each member of staff is familiar with protocol. Patricia Gardiner, Tranfusion Surveillance Officer, Mullingar; Joe Martin, Hospital Manager Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; Dorothy Hynes, Clinical Nurse Manager, St. Josephs Care Centre, Longford. The use of factor concentrates in congenital coagulation disorders was presented by Dr. Corrina Mc Mahon, Paediatric Consultant Haematologist, The Children s Hospital Temple Street. Dr. Mc Mahon discussed conditions such as Haemophilia and Von Willebrands Disease, their presentation, and management in the case of acute bleeds. This was followed by an talk on Sickle Cell Disease by Ms. Marvelle Brown, Senior Macmillan Lecturer in Haematology, Thames Valley University, London. As the incidence of this disease, which we are generally unfamiliar with, is rising, this session was very enlightening. Mr. Paul Mc Ginn, Barrister of Law, who writes for the Irish Nurses Organisation magazine, gave a very informative presentation on Consent and blood transfusion. As one can imagine this promoted an interesting discussion on legal issues surrounding documentation, confidentiality and our duty of care to our patients. Various scenarios surrounding aspects of blood transfusion were presented whereby the audience were invited to impart their answers and opinions. The closing presentation was from Dr. Crotty who spoke about the life saving aspects of blood transfusion and the importance of documenting our indications for transfusions. Any of the above presentations can be obtained by contacting Eimear Nally or Patricia Gardiner at the following: Eimear Nally, Transfusion Surveillance Officer. Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore. Tel: (Bleep 290). eimear.nally@mhb.ie Patricia Gardiner, Transfusion Surveillance Officer, Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar. Tel: (Bleep 043). patricia.gardiner@mhb.ie

12 SERVICE PLAN DEVELOPING A MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY Arising out of the Annual General Meetings of the Mental Health Services in 2000 and 2001 the Board has established a project team to develop a Mental Health Strategy for the next five years. Why Have A Strategy? Over the last couple of decades the development of the Mental Health Services in the Midland Health Board has been influenced by the 1984 National Policy Planning for The Future. A range of initiatives and developments have been put in place during the intervening period to improve the delivery of services to patients and their families and carers. However further development is required. The development of sector services is the primary focus of care delivery, supported by acute inpatient care and long stay residential care. Added to this, services for promoting mental health, substance misuse and specialist services have been enhanced and developed. The Mental Health Initiative launched by the Board in 1997 added further impetus to these developments. The National Health Strategy Quality and Fairness set the agenda for future planning processes and provides a benchmark against which services shall be judged. The National Development Plan also offers the opportunity to provide new and improved facilities for service delivery over the period Consultative processes with mental health staff and wider service providers in hospital, community services, voluntary agencies, external agencies and statutory bodies have indicated the need for new PROJECT TEAM Advocacy Service Nominee Mr. Paddy McGowan Mr. Mervin Tierney directions to be determined and priorities for service development to be identified. A project team has been established by Mr. John Cregan, Chief Executive Officer to lead the development of a five year Strategy for Mental Health for the Board s Area. It is intended that the stratgey will inform future service planning processes and priorities for service development. The scope of the work of the Project Team is to: 1. Be guided by National Policies and Legislation 2. Take cognisance of consultative processes conducted with statutory and voluntary agencies within the region to date 3. Take account of local, national and international evidence based models of good practice and to recognise good practice as it currently exists within the Voluntary sector (Midland Region Mental Health Alliance) nominee Ms. Finola Colgan Consultant Psychiatrist - Peer Group Nominee Dr. Katherine Browne (Chairperson) Clinical Director - Peer Group Nominee Dr. Oliver. J. Leavy Director of Nursing - Peer Group Nominee Mr. P. J. Lawlor The Project Team, back row (l to r): Ms. Jennifer Gleeson, ETCI; Dr. Oliver Leavy, Clinical Director, St. Loman s Hospital; Ms. Colette Ryan, Stigma Reduction Officer; Mr. Billy Bland, Suicide Resource Officer; Mr. Ryan O Neill, Psychologist; Ms. Bernie Lalor, Section Officer, Mental Health Services; Ms. Finola Colgan, Mental Health Association of Ireland and Mr. Richard Walsh, General Manager, Mental Health Services. Front row: Ms. Margaret Groarke, Principal Social Worker; Ms. Geraldine Kelly, CNMII, St. Loman s Hospital; Ms. Evelyn Hession, Sector Administrator, St. Loman s Hospital; Ms. Caroline Whelan, OT Manager, Mental Health Services and Dr. Katherine Browne, Consultant Psychiatrist. region 4. To produce a strategy for mental health which is realistically achievable, practical and clearly understood. The strategy will identify specific projects which will be established in order to achieve the desired goals for the service user and service providers. The project team will ensure that the strategy is client focussed and serves to empower clients of the services. It is intended that the strategy will inform future service planning processes and priorities for service development. Project teams will be established to plan the areas identified in the strategy for further work and to develop proposals for development funding to the Department of Health. Staff from throughout the region will be afforded an opportunity to participate on project teams and / or contribute to the projects. A number of project phases will be followed by the Strategy Team. These are Developing a Communications Framework Consultation Literature Review/sites visits. Developing the Document Framework Drafting the Strategy The Strategy document will be written in clearly understandable language, outlining the strategic direction for service developments and service delivery over the next five years. The document will reflect the outcome of the consultation process and research undertaken. It will be submitted to senior management for approval prior to launching the Strategy. Consultation is scheduled to take place during April and May Your views on our current services and Your ideas on how best the service might be improved would be most welcome Feel free to write or Ms. Bernie Lalor, Section Officer, Mental Health Services Midland Health Board, Central Office Tullamore bernie.lalor@mhb.ie Updates will also be issued in the Board s staff Newsletter and on the Board s website. Nominations by Deputy Ceo. General Manager Mental Health Services - Mr Richard Walsh Suicide Resource Officer - Mr. William Bland Health Promotion Manager -Mr Matthew McCann Stigma Reduction Officer - Ms. Colette Ryan Nominations by General Manager Administration Ms. Evelyn Hession -Sector Administrator Ms Bernie Lalor - Section Officer (secretary) Professions allied to medicine Ms. Caroline Whelan, Occupational Therapy Manager, Mental Health Services Mr. Ryan O Neill, A/Senior Psychologist, Mental Health Services Ms. Margaret Groarke, Principal Social Worker, Mental Health Services, Nursing -Directors of Nursing Nominee Ms. Gerardine Kelly CNM 3 Pictured at a Derbyshire Staff and Parent Training Programme in Mullingar organised by the Midland Health Board are (l to r): Ms. Lynn Griffin, Speech and Language Therapist, Mullingar; Ms. Triona Corry, Derbyshire Tutor; Mr. Pat O Dowd, General Manager, Community Care, Longford/Westmeath; Ms. Marie Reddington, Speech and Language Therapist, Athlone; Ms. Clare O Shaughnessy, Speech and Lauguage Therapist, Mullingar and Ms. Veronica Larkin, Manager Speech and Language Therapy Services, Longford/Westmeath.

13 12 LABHAIR GAEILGE LIOM! - SPEAK IRISH TO ME! Cúinne Cabhrach - Help Corner Bail ó Dhia oraibh go léir! Tá eolas ar fáil faoi léamh agus labhairt na Gaeilge ar na láithreáin seo a thíos. Bain triail astu. Tá siad an-spéisiúil. Hello everybody! There is information about reading and speaking Irish on the websites listed below. Try them. They are very interesting. This is the Irish Translators and Interpreters Association site. Services may be accessed by source language or target language. There are services for sixty-one languages ranging from Afrikaans to Yiddish including Irish/English and English/Irish. Seo láithreán Chumann Aistritheoirí agus Teangairí na héireann. Tá seirbhísí ar fáil d aon teanga is séasca, ó Afrikaans go Giúdais chomh maith le Gaeilge/Béarla agus Béarla/Gaeilge. Láithreán dhátheangach a thugann blas den méid atá ar fáil, le liostaí de chuid de na háiteanna inar féidir an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim, a léamh, a chloisteáil agus a úsáid. A bilingual site giving a taste of what is available listing some places to learn, read, hear and use the Irish language. A site with facilities for Irish speakers with dictionaries, lists of terminology, lessons and texts about the craft of translation along with a collection of Irish language texts, some of which are out of print. Láithreáin áiseanna do lucht na Gaeilge le foclóirí, liostaí téarmaíochta, ceachtanna agus téacsanna faoi cheird an aistriúcháin chomh maith le taisce do théacsanna Gaeilge, a bhfuil cuid díobh imithe as cló. BASIC CONVERSATIONAL IRISH - BAIN TRIAIL AS CÚPLA FOCAIL! Cold Fuar Hot,warm Te Wet Fliuch Dry Tirim Dark Dorcha Bright Geal It is cold. Tá sé fuar. It is warm. Tá sé te. It is wet. Tá sé fliuch. It is dark. Tá sé dorcha. It is dry. Tá sé tirim. It is bright. Tá sé geal. It is very cold. Tá sé an-fhuar. It is very warm. Tá sé an-te. It is very wet. Tá sé an-fhliuch. It is very dry. Tá sé an-tirim. It is very dark. Tá sé an-dorcha. It is very bright. Tá sé an-gheal. The day. An lá. The night. An oíche. The morning. An mhaidin. The evening. An tráthnóna. The weather. An aimsir. Fine. Go breá. Good. Go maith Nice. Go deas. Bad. Go dona. Beautiful. Go hálainn. Wonderful. Go hiontach. The weather is fine. Tá an aimsir go breá. The weather is nice. Tá an aimsir go deas. The weather is good. Tá an aimsir go maith. The weather is beautiful. Tá an aimsir go hálainn. The weather is wonderful. Tá an aimsir go hiontach. The day isn t good. Níl an lá go maith. The weather is bad. Tá an aimsir go dona. The night is fine. Tá an oíche go deas. The morning isn t good. Níl an mhaidin go maith. Hello. Dia dhuit. Hello. Dia s Muire dhuit. It s a good day. Tá an lá go maith. It s not bad today. Níl sé go dona inniu. It s beautiful, thank God. Tá sé go hálainn anois, buíochas le Dia. Now. Anois. Today. Inniu. Iris idirlín do lucht na Gaeilge in Éirinn agus ar fud na cruinne. Tá rannóg na bhfoghlaimeoirí ann. Internet magazine for Irish speakers in Ireland and worldwide. There is a section for learners. Promote Irish in your Workplace! Every year during Seachtain na Gaeilge, which is generally the week preceding St. Patrick s Day on the 17th March, Foras na Gaeilge asks the entire population of Ireland to make an effort to use a few words of Irish. There is a campaign on our television and radio services, hotels and bars run Irish music nights, some places even dye the beer green and for that one week during the year everybody makes an effort. It does not hurt and it seems to generate a feel good factor. But what if everybody made an effort to continue the use of those few words during the year and maybe expanded on it? Why not try keeping the few words going with colleagues in your workplace? Many people say they would like to improve their Irish and labour under the illusion that going to one or two Irish classes will work magic for them. Unfortunately, as our education system has clearly proven, mere instruction in Irish, even for a period of years, will not result in acquiring the language as a means of daily communication. The secret is in using it! In fact it is no secret at all. We see the same advice given about any skill you acquire - Use it or Lose it. Linguists believe that just as babies learn the language by listening for a period, adults wishing to learn Irish should listen to Irish language media i.e. TG4 and Radio na Gaeltachta. At first you do not understand what is being said and it all sounds like gibberish. Gradually you begin to recognise frequently used words. You will recognise salutations and farewells, exclamations of pleasure and displeasure (the frequent use of bad language is the reason that toddlers pick it up so easily!) and other frequently used phrases. When you have listened for a while and are recognising the phrases you can begin sounding them out for yourself. When you are satisfied that you have mastered a phrase you can then proceed to trying them out on your colleagues. The more you practice, the easier it gets. Do not get disheartened if your initial attempts sound silly. Think again of the toddler learning to speak. Not everybody can understand the toddler in the early stages of language acquisition. Very often it is the carer who spends the most time with the toddler who understands him. That is why you should practice your phrases on the same colleague, friend, relative, i.e. the one who spends the most time speaking Irish to you! Armed with this knowledge of the basic points of language acquisition you can make a start today on your campaign to acquire Irish! Start by substituting simple phrases. See the example below: Instead of saying hello Say Dia Dhuit Instead of saying goodbye Say Slán Instead of saying please Say Má sé do thoil é Instead of saying thankyou Say Go raibh maith agat SEANFHOCLA Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile. (A beetle knows a beetle.) It takes one to know one. What you can do about racism Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine. (People live in each other s shelter) No man is an island. Is fada an bóthar nach mbíonn casadh ann. It is a long road that has no turning. Is glas iad na cnoic i bhfad uainn. (The hills far from us are green) Faraway hills are green. Is beag gaoth nach lúbfadh tráithnín. (It is a small wind that won t bend a wisp) It s an ill wind that blows nobody any good. AN TOMHAIS mar dhuais Bhí an bua ag: Treasa Uí Lanham, Fáilteoir, Ospidéal Réigiúnach Lár Tíre, Port Laoise, Co. Laoise. Comhgháirdeachas leat! Freagra: An Teanga Beo COMÓRTAS eile : Cén t-ainm atá ar an iris idirlín do lucht na Gaeilge in Éirinn agus ar fud na cruinne? What is the name of the internet magazine for Irish speakers in Ireland and worldwide? Nod:(hint) Tá an freagra ar an leathanach. The answer is on the page. Freagraí chuig: (answers to) Bairbre Uí Theighneáin, Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge, Lár-Oifig an Bord Sláinte Lár Tíre, Bóthar Árdán, An Tulach Mhór, Co. Uíbh Fháilí. RISK MANAGEMENT TEAM L to r: Margaret McGarry, Clinical Risk Manager, Acute Hospitals; Annette Macken, Clinical Risk Manger, Mental Health Services and Cora MaCaughan, Health Care Risk Manager. WORLD TRIP A group made up mainly of health board personnel went on a successful world top in January Another trip is planned for February 2003 to visit Hong Kong, Melbourne, New Zealand, Fiji and San Francisco. This itinerary may change depending on demand. Interested persons should contact Fionn Gallagher at A 10 point code to follow - 1. Treat people from minority groups with the same respect you show to other people 2. Challenge, where appropriate, racist remarks and insults 3. Report racist incidents to the GardaÌ 4. If you see racial harassment occurring in a public place, such as a shop, cinema, restaurant, etc. inform the management 5. Support initiatives which help to combat racism - eg, wear the Know Racism emblem 6. Look for opportunities to establish and strengthen your personal ties with local ethnic, religious and cultural minorities. 7. Extend a hand of friendship to persons of different cultural backgrounds 8. Do not prejudge or label people because of their cultural or ethnic origin 9. Teach children to respect different cultures 10. Make your workplace a comfortable environment for workers of all cultures regardless of their ethnic or cultural background.

14 Childminder Advisory Officers Appointed Kathy Troy - Laois\Offaly and Caroline O Connor- Hughes - Longford\Westmeath have recently been appointed Childminder Advisory Officers with the Midland Health Board. Caroline worked previously as a Clinical Nurse Manager I on the paediatric unit in the Midland Regional Hospital, at Mullingar. Kathy worked as a Senior Staff Nurse on the children s ward in the Midland Regional Hospital, at Tullamore. In their new role they will work closely with the County Childcare Committees in improving childminding services in the community. The Government s National Childcare Policy has advised the setting up of these committees as the key local component in the development of a coordinated approach to quality childcare. The Childminder Advisory Officer s role will be - To set up and speak at public information meeting for childminders who are looking after three or fewer children. To facilitate the establishment of local networks for such childminders. To prepare information literature. To supply information and\or organise training courses for childminders. To provide advisory visits to childminders homes to assist them in developing best practice. To act as a referral point between parents and childminders. Childminding is one of the major sources of day care for young children and offers a unique Pre School Service that many parents prefer for their children. As part of the Childcare Act 1991 all childminders must notify the Health Board if they are minding four or more children in their home. For three or fewer children they will be asked to give voluntary notification via the Childminder Advisory Officer. The Childminder Advisory Officer s post is under the umbrella of the pre-school services. With the above services established it is anticipated that the provision of high quality childcare and working for the wellbeing of children will be enhanced. 13 New Childminder Advisory Officers Cathy Troy, R.G.N. S.M.C. and Caroline O Connor Hughes, R.G.N. R.S.C.N. Implementation of Recommendations of the Commission on Nursing Second Annual Progress Report Monitoring Committee 2001 The second annual report of the Monitoring Committee established by the Minister for Health and Children to oversee progress in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission on Nursing A Blueprint for the Future, has been published. It outlines the further progress made during 2001 in achieving targets set out in the Priority Action Plan for 2000 and 2001 agreed between the Department of Health and Children and the Nursing Alliance. The Monitoring Committee has agreed a new Action Plan for the implementation of further recommendations of the Commission on Nursing during 2002 and Mr John Cregan, CEO Midland Health Board replaced Mr Tom Beegan in October 2001 on the monitoring committee. PROGRESS TO DATE National Council for Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery The Nations Council approved a total of 1,169 Clinical Nurse\Midwife Specialist positions under the Immediate Pathway up to the 31st December The Framework for the establishment of Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Midwife Practitioner posts was published by the National Council in May The Department of Health and Children has provided the National Council with an annual budget of 2 million ( 2.54 million) for continuing education. Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units By the end of 2001, the Eastern Regional Health Authority, Midland, North Easter, North Western, Southern, South Eastern and Western health Boards had each appointed a Director to its Regional Unit. Support staff have\are in the process of being appointed. Revised National Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in the Community A nurse researcher has been appointed to the department of Health and Children to work as project officer on the strategy. Review of Sick Children s Nursing Course A National Paediatric Nursing Advisory Forum was established in It provides a mechanism by which the Department of Health and Children can access additional expert advice from paediatric nursing and aims to give paediatric nurses an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the policy making process. It is composed of paediatric nurses from a variety of practice settings and who work in various capacities form Student to Director of Nursing. Progress was also reported on Transfer of student Nurse Application System Intake of Nursing Students Pre-registration Nursing Degree Programme Clerical and IT Support for First Line Nursing and Midwifery Managers Clerical and Information Technology Support for PHNs The Minister for Health and Children, in November last, launched the new four year undergraduate preregistration nursing degree programme commencing in To coincide with the introduction of the degree programme the Government has provided funding for an additional 93 places annually. The Minister also announced a new sponsorship scheme for experienced public health care assistants wishing to train as nurses. Up to 40 sponsorships will be available annually. Successful applicants will be allowed to retain their salary during the four years of the degree programme, in return for a commitment to work as nurses for their public health service employer following graduation. Funding totalling 260,000 has been provided for local marketing of the new degree programme to Health Boards\ERHA to coordinate campaigns in association with Schools of Nursing and Higher Education Institutions. Utilisation of professional skills of nurses The main recommendation of the Working Group was that the grade of Health Care Assistant\Maternity Health Care Assistant be introduced as a member of the healthcare team to assist and support the nursing and midwifery function. The Working Group s report has been endorsed by the Monitoring Committee. A separate Review Group on Health Service Care Staff was convened during 2001 to establish standard criteria for the education and training of care assistants, as recommended by the Commission on Nursing. The Working Group s deliberations on the development of appropriate systems for determining nursing staffing levels will be the subject of a subsequent report. Empowerment of Nurses and Midwives\Management Development Pilot management development programmes catering for CNM2, CNM3 and middle level nurse managers were commissioned in 2000 and Over 250 nurses and midwives have completed or are in the process of completing programmes, which are being externally evaluated. The intention is to roll out the management development programmes by preparing detailed guidelines (content and provider assessment) so that health service employers can commission similar programmes throughout the health system. A pilot programme for CNM1 s in a health board are is currently being planned. The sub-group on empowerment commissioned a national study to explore nurses and midwives understanding of empowerment within the context of the public health services. This large-scale study is being undertaken by a research team at Dublin City University. It is anticipated that the final report of the study will be published in The findings of the study will provide very useful insights that can be used in development strategies that will empower and retain nurses and midwives in practice. Equity in Financial Support for Nurses undertaking Education Courses The following new initiatives under this heading were announced by the Minister for Health and Children during the year under review: Payment of fees and enhanced salary to nurses\midwives undertaking higher diploma and certificate courses in all specialised areas of clinical practice. Financial support for state enrolled nurses undertaking Nursing Conversion Programmes. The full report is available on the Department of Health s Website. Pictured at the presentation of certificates to the Midland Health Board s Critical Incident Debriefing Team who competed training in psychological trauma management and critical incident stress debriefing, delivered by Dr. Marion Gibson, Consultant Director Staff Care Services, Belfast, back row (l to r): Brian Colgan, St. Fintan s Hospital, Portlaoise; Terry Cotter, Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; Larry Bane, Director of Professional Standards and External Relations; Mary Dwyer, Employee Assistance Officer and Co-ordinator of the debriefing team and John Cregan, Chief Executive Officer, who presented the certificates. Front row: Jane Johnson, Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; Ursula Cafferty Project Co-ordinator; Des Whyte, St. Loman s and Breda Muratagh, St. Joseph s Hospital, Longford. Missing from the picture: Anne Kelly, Midland Regional Hospital. CRITICAL INCIDENT DEBRIEFING SERVICE Help is available for staff who are experiencing stress reactions following a critical or traumatic incident, which occurred in the course of their work. If two or more of you require a Critical Incident Debrief, please advise your manager who may contact the Co-ordinator at: The Employee Assisance Service Telephone: Freephone: employee.assistance@mhb.ie EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE SERVICE - SUPPORTING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE NEEDS OF OUR STAFF

15 14 POSITIVE LIVING How does Thinking Influence Feelings? In the last newsletter, February 2002, we discussed Stress and it s management. One of the sources of Stress that we are not always aware of is our thoughts or perceptions. Epictetus is quoted as saying we are disturbed not by events, but by how we interpret events i.e. our thoughts. Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck were the pioneers of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy where the focus of therapy is the interaction between Thoughts, Moods, Physical reaction and Behaviour. Like looking through a prism, or a pair of distorted eyeglasses, some ways of thinking add a particular bias to our view of the world and are especially likely to be associated with feeling bad. Getting rid of the bias and getting our thoughts back into perspective will make us feel better, but first you need to recognise that the bias is there. These are some examples of the most common thinking errors that lead to feeling bad. Most people have favourites, and readily fall into habitual patterns of thinking. Once you identify, and named, the biases in your thinking, you are on the way to defeating your bad mood. All- or- nothing thinking. You see things in black- or - white categories. If a situation falls short of perfect you see it as a total failure rather than in shades of grey. The danger in this polarized thinking is it impact on how you judge yourself. If you see yourself as not perfect or brilliant then you must be a failure. There is no room for o.k. Or average. Filtering. You pick out a single negative detail and dwell on it exclusively e.g. you receive many positive comments about your presentation but one person was critical and you end up obsessing about this one critical comment for days. Discounting the Positive. You reject positive experiences by insisting they don t count e.g. when a colleague compliments you By John Bannon, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Laois / Offaly Adult Mental Health Service. Dr. Eddie Murphy, A/Senior Clinical Psychologist, Laois / Offaly Adult Mental Health Service. about your work, you might say it doesn t count they are only being nice. Jumping to conclusions. You interpret things negatively without checking it out. Mind reading: When we mind read we make snap judgements about others e.g. they are not interested in my talk Fortune - telling: You predict that things will turn out badly e.g. The dance will be no good Catastrophizing. These thoughts often begin with the words what if what if I break my leg on holiday i.e. the worst-case scenario. Emotional reasoning. Your assume your emotions reflect the way things are e.g. I feel bored giving this talk this mean the talk is boring Should- Must statements. This error is working from a list of inflexible rules about you, other people and the world e.g. I should be able to have a quick solution to everyone s problems They should have known better Somebody should have acted Overgeneralization. You see a single negative event as a never-ending pattern. E.g. if you let your knife fall in a restaurant you might think I am always doing that Labelling. Instead of saying I made a mistake you might label yourself a total failure Personalization. This is where you interpret each experience, each conversation as a clue to your self-worth. You are walking down the street and a good friend is approaching you but turns into a shop before you meet. You might think, What did I do on him/her when in fact they hadn t seen you. We can see from this crooked thinking how we interpret events impacts on our moods and actions. Here are some ways in which you can untwist your thinking and promote feeling better. What is the evidence? What evidence do I have to support my thoughts? What evidence do I have against these thoughts? What alternative views are there? How would someone else view this situation? How would I have viewed it before I got depressed? What evidence do I have to back these alternatives? What is the effect of thinking the way I do? Does it help me, or hinder me from getting what I want? How? What would be the effect of looking at things less negatively? What thinking error am I making? Am I thinking in all- ornothing terms? Am I condemning myself as a total person on the basis of a single event? Am I concentrating on my weaknesses and forgetting my strengths? Am I blaming myself for something that is not my fault? Am I using a double standard- how would I view someone else in the same LETTERS TO THE EDITOR situation? Am I expecting myself to be perfect? What action can I take? Am I assuming I can do nothing to change my situation? What if it happened, would it be so terrible? Am I underestimating how well I coped in the past? In summary, we can learn to become aware of this crooked thinking which can sustain high levels of anxiety, stress and depression and then challenge them using some of the above techniques. So learning to apply these skills will promote Positive Mental Health. Good luck and straight thinking! Further Reading: Butler, G. and Hope, T.(1995). Manage Your Mind, The Mental Fitness Guide. Oxford University Press. Burns, D. (1989) The feeling Good Handbook. A Plume Book. N. Y. I am writing to thank you for the experience of my interview\tests on Saturday 19th. On this day I met a particularly pleasant lady which shouldn t surprise me, however, it did. I sat through the various tests in Room 3, on leaving the room we were greeted by a lady smiling who seemed sympathetic to what we d all been through. I spoke to her in passing telling her how I messed up not being familiar with Microsoft 2000 (my own fault entirely). This lady asked me if I would like to take the letter again as the Board is a fair and equal employer. This was so unexpected I mean I got my very fair opportunity and through no fault of the Board I messed up. I was shown into another room to attempt the letter a second time, which in fact turned out to be just as dismal as my first attempt. My point being I was so impressed that within such a large organisation people are still treated as individuals, this incident reinforced for me my reasons for wanting to work with the Board in the first place. My initial reason for wanting this job was, and is, because I enjoy working in a hospital environment, having trained in a hospital pharmacy, and secondly because I enjoy meeting people, helping them out when I can as was my experience in retail pharmacy, just listening and being willing to help if at all possible, just makes me feel better in return. I m delighted I went through the tests, however lacking. Be assured I will apply again at the next available opportunity. Name and address with editor What a devastating blow this April evening did bring A cup of tea with a neighbour was to be her last No time for goodbyes - her time for leaving us was nigh God beckoned - she had to go She journeyed from this life so very, very fast Leaving us shattered and full of woe Angela we miss you - our hearts are heavy For those who loved you nothing will ever be the same God comfort them as their tears fall steady Where there was trouble or grief, with a helping hand along she came Saying Go now Petie I ll do the night for you or such like Never looking for that favour in return Angela She made us laugh as funny she told and listened to She chuckled - she laughed - she pleaded stop it or I ll burst A great friend, a great nurse, a great neighbour is gone But we re grateful for the happy memories she has left us For her nearest and dearest picking up the pieces is very tough May the birds sing softly o er you grave all day long And the soft breezes make music to accompany them Good Bye to you our friend Watch over us from on high in your caring way Angela - you were one of the best, this I have to say You ll be solely missed, may your Soul rest in peace Brigid Caldwell It is 16:30 on a typical wet Thursday afternoon. The Operating Theatre list however, is unusual due to the fact that the list is beginning to wind down. Another unusual thing has occurred this after noon. A member of staff has just left the Board without any goodbyes, presentations, pomp nor ceremony. Many people write of persons in the bid to capture the essence of character of the individual. Or in the hope to chart the course of a particular aspect of that person s life. However, in doing so they only provide a flavour of that person. What makes this individual so remarkable is that for the first time in my career I am compelled to formally acknowledge a person s input not only to a Department, Hospital, and Board, but also to me as an individual. For you must work along side some one to realise the person beside you. But in saying that, this person worked with a dedication that I have rarely seen in an individual during the years I have worked in the profession. Her enthusiasm, which I never saw waver, in the approach of her duties was secure in the knowledge that they were being carried out to the best of her abilities. She remained dynamic no matter which area of the department she found herself seconded to. She grasped with zeal all facets that were pertaining to an area of practise until she was highly proficient. Well practised and versed she would carry out those duties without kerfuffle or comment, only seeking to maintain the high standard she had set for herself. Task completion was conducted without complaint of the workload and with a degree of professionalism that at times made me smile, openly to myself, as she exhibited a degree of care that can not be found in any text. The intention here is not for saintly recognition. Rather for me to pause, and in doing so bring to the attention of those of you who happen to read this that a foot solider has retired. This person was not a high flyer and collector of significant pieces of paper, but taught me from my arrival into theatre, to the day she left, with an exhibition of dignity and decorum. A cliché maybe but very true in this case. Anna Meehan, a member of the staff of the Midland Health Board, you will be missed. Michael Cleary CNMII Friend and Colleague. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR All your comments, ideas or suggestions will be considered for publication. Letters should be addressed to: Dymphna Bracken, Communications Department, Central Office, Arden Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. dymphna.bracken@mhb.ie

16 APPOINTMENTS NAME GRADE LOCATION MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATION Mr. John Kenny Dir. Of Information Systems Management Services Department Mr. John Ikeringill Information Officer Child Care Department Ms. Breege Doherty Health Ed. Officer Health Promotion Mr. Gerard McAteer Grade 4 Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Bernie Donohue Grade 4 SAP Project, Mullingar Ms. Noreen Feeney Grade 4 Health Centre, Tullamore Ms. Claire Farrell Grade 4 Clinical Audit Ms. Edel Farrell Grade 4 Office of the CEO Ms. Margaret Shannon Clerical Officer Longford Community Care Ms. Mary Knowles Clerical Officer Midwifery & Planning Unit Ms. Sharon Kane Clerical Officer Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Ms. Eileen Devaney Clerical Officer Longford Community Care Ms. Teresa Meares Clerical Officer Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Ms. Lisa Holloway Clerical Officer Human Resource Department Ms. Margaret Delaney Clerical Officer Finance Department Ms. Deirdre Norton Clerical Officer Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Ms. Kathleen Hendy Clerical Officer Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Hillary Carroll Clerical Officer Health Centre, Tullamore Ms. Norma Skehan Clerical Officer Finance Department Ms. Anne Quinn Clerical Officer Primary Care Unit Ms. Anne Connell Clerical Officer Primary Care Unit Ms. Sandra Mulleady Clerical Officer Finance Department Ms. Anita Browne Clerical Officer Westmeath Community Care Ms. Margaret Cullen Clerical Officer Westmeath Community Care Ms. Vera O Rourke Clerical Officer Westmeath Community Care Ms. Eavan Aldritt Clerical Officer Laois Community Care NURSING GRADES Ms. Geraldine Murphy-Fenton Palliative Care Nurse L/W Community Care Ms. Teresa Tracy Psychiatric Nurse St. Fintans Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Edel Smullen Psychiatric Nurse St. Fintans Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Josie McGill Psychiatric Nurse St. Fintan s Hospital, Portlaoise Mr. Colin Culleton Psychiatric Nurse St. Fintan s Hospital, Portlaoise Mr. Denis Howe Psychiatric Nurse St. Fintan s Hospital, Portlaoise Mr. Oliver Byrne Psychiatric Nurse St. Fintan s Hospital, Portlaoise Ms. Mary Conlon Psychiatric Nurse St. Loman s Hospital, Mullingar Mr. Denis Brennan Psychiatric Nurse St. Fintan s Hospital, Portlaoise Ms. Anne Corcoran Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Yvonne Hanhnuser Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Shirley McLoughlin Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Ms. Anna Meehan Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Orla Daly Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Patricia Murray Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp., Mullingar Ms. Anna Costello Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp., Mullingar Ms. Martina Davison Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Ms. Margaret Morrin Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Marie Quinlan Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Agnes McWey Staff Nurse Westmeath Respite House Ms. Angela Fallon Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Fionnuala Lynam Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Ms. Zeda Nicholson Staff Nurse C.N.U. Abbeyleix Ms. Ackashani Patak Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Ms. Anne Marie Meredith Staff Nurse St. Vincent s Hosp. Mountmellick Ms. Dearbhail Cooke Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Bernadette Weidling Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Irene Kenny Staff Nurse C.N.U. Edenderry Ms. Teresa Paddock Staff Nurse L/W Intellectual Disabilities Ms. Teresa Burke Staff Nurse Riada House Tullamore Ms. Monica Callaghan Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Sandra Brennan Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Eleanor Quigley RGN Offaly Community Care Ms. Anne Tehee RGN Offaly Community Care Ms. Lucy Tierney CNM I Occupation Health Department Ms. Maria Creggy CNM I Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Alice Cockram CNM I Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Geraldine Talty CNM II Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Mr. James Davison CNM II Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Ms. Brenda Ryder Infection Control Sister Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Geraldine Murphy Public Health Nurse Westmeath Community Care NON-NURSING GRADES Ms. Breege Kelly Home Help Longford Community Care Ms. Kathleen O Neill Home Help Laois Community Care Ms. Joan Rooney Home Help Laois Community Care Ms. Teresa Farrell Home Help Longford/Westmeath Comm. Care Ms. Antoinette Maguire EMT Ambulance Station, Tullamore Mr. Desmond Wade EMT Ambulance Station, Portlaoise Mr. David Fitzgerald EMT Ambulance Station, Portlaoise Mr. Tomas Connaughton EMT Ambulance Station, Athlone Mr. Colin Petticrew EMT Ambulance Station, Mullingar Mr. Bryan Geoghegan Electrician Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Carmel Somers Hairdresser St. Mary s Care Centre, Mullingar Ms. Marian Dooley Attendant C.N.U. Abbeyleix Mr. Mark Willis Attendant Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Mr. Seamus Dunne Attendant St. Vincent s Hosp. Mountmellick Ms. Olivia Conroy Attendant Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Lisa Cleary Attendant Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Bernadette Noonan Attendant St. Loman s Hospital, Mullingar Ms. Catherine Chesser Attendant St. Loman s Hospital, Mullingar Ms. Ann Gibbons Attendant St. Loman s Hospital, Mullingar Mr. Anthony Ferguson Attendant L/W Mental Health Services Ms. Korina Lowry Attendant St. Vincent s Care Centre, Athlone Ms. Regina Wiseley Attendant Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Sarah Doyle Attendant Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Jacqueline Whelan Attendant C.N.U. Abbeleix Mr. David Recks Attendant Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Roberta Neilon Care Assistant St. Peter s Centre, Castlepollard Ms. Angela Thompson Care Assistant St. Peters Centre, Castlepollard PARAMEDICAL GRADES Ms. Pauline Costello Social Worker Offaly Community Care Ms. Joan Stokes Social Worker Longford/Westmeath Comm. Care Ms. Sheena Burke Snr. Clinical Psychologist Westmeath Community Care Mr. John Joyce Snr. Occupational Therapist Laois Community Care Ms. Emer Donohoe Snr. Occupational Therapist Longford Community Care Ms. Mairead Carey Occupational Therapist Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Clare Donnelly Snr. Physiotherapist Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Mr. Conor Owens Snr. Psychologist Laois/Offaly Mental Health Services Dr. William Murphy Psychologist Laois/Offaly Mental Health Services Ms. Anita Moore Psychologist Laois Community Care Ms. Julie O Flaherty Psychologist Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Marie Goss Med. Lab. Technician Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Mr. Gordon Lalor Med. Lab. Technician Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Mr. Conor Tubman Med. Lab. Technician Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Ms. Lorna Mangan Radiographer Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Suzanne Heffernan Phlebotomist Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Rose Keane Phlebotomist Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Therese Fitzpatrick Vascular Technician Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Kara Murphy Pre-School Trainer L/O Pre-School Services CATERING GRADES Ms. Thelma Heffernan Chef II Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore PROMOTIONS MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATION GRADES Mr. Patrick Marron Grade 8 Regional Primary Care Unit Ms. Catherine Troy Child Minder Advisory Officer Laois Offaly Pre School Services Ms. Caroline O Connor-Hughes Child Minder Adv. Officer L/W Community Care Ms. Marie Ruane Grade 6 Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Mr. Jason Henshaw Business Manager Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Siobhan Arthur Grade 5 Internal Audit Mr. Matthew Corcoran Grade 5 CEO s Office Ms. Helen Galvin Grade 5 Health Centre, Tullamore Ms. Siobhan Regan Grade 5 Human Resource Department Ms. Carmel Wallace Grade 5 Westmeath Community Care Ms. Mary Griffin Grade 5 Health Centre, Athlone Ms. Eileen Brophy Grade 5 CEO s Office Mr. Michael Casey Supplies Officer B Central Stores, Mullingar Ms. Anne Rigney-Mills Grade 4 Mental Health Services, Birr Sector Ms. Patricia Boland Grade 4 CEO s Office Ms. Valerie Dooley Grade 4 Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Claire Mooney Supplies Officer C SAP Project, Mullingar NURSING GRADES Ms. Mary McCawley PHN Longford Community Care Ms. Julie McGrath Clinical Nurse Specialist Loughloe House, Athlone Ms. Breda Flynn CNM II School of Nursing Ms. Angela Dunne CNM II Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Breda Murtagh CNM II Longford Hospitals Ms. Ann McDonagh CNM II Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Jane Johnston CNM II Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Mr. Peter Farrell CNM II St. Peter s Centre, Castlepollard Ms. Anne Marie Keenan CNM II Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise Ms. Sheila Gavin CNM I Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Pauline Corcoran CNM I Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Ms. Mary Maxwell CNM I Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Maria Curley CNM I Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Eileen Neary CNM I Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar Ms. Catherine Tormey CNM I Midland Regional Hosp. Mullingar NON-NURSING GRADES Mr. Patrick Lawlor Domestic Supervisor Midland Regional Hosp. Portlaoise PARAMEDICAL GRADES Ms. Siobhan Corcoran Snr. Speech & Lan. Therapist Laois/Offaly Community Care Mr. Sean Phelan Snr. Med. Lab. Technician Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Imelda Rose Donohue Child Care Leader Longford Community Care CATERING GRADES Ms. Marie Walsh Chef I Riada House, Tullamore Ms. Elizabeth McClare Chef II St. Peter s Centre, Castlepollard Ms. Kathleen Lowry Chef II Riada House, Tullamore RESIGNATIONS MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATION GRADES Ms. Maria Leahy Snr.Health Ed. Officer Health Promotion Ms. Deirdre Critchley Clerical Officer Laois Community Care Mr. Stephan Loughman Clerical Officer Health Centre, Tullamore NURSING GRADES Ms. Geraldine Coughlan Psychiatric Nurse St. Fintan s Hospital, Portlaoise Ms. Catherine Troy Staff Nurse Midland Regional Hosp. Tullamore Ms. Michelle Finlay Staff Nurse St. Vincent s Hospital, M Melick PARAMEDICAL GRADES Ms. Marita Comer Social Worker Offaly Community Care Ms. Lorraine Keegan Social Worker Laois Community Care Ms. Margaret Farrell Speech & Language Therapist Laois Offaly Community Care Ms. Clare Devlin Social Worker Westmeath Community Care Ms. Fiona Tallis DSA Westmeath Community Care NON-NURSING GRADES Ms. Martina Brady Attendant Riada House, Tullamore Ms. Mary Farrell Attendant St. Loman s Hospital, Mullingar RETIREMENTS NURSING GRADES Ms. Elizabeth O Dwyer RGN Offaly Community Care Ms. Angela Kelly Staff Nurse St. Mary s Care Centre, Mullingar Ms. Patricia Hickey RGN Offaly Community Care NON-NURSING GRADES Mr. Brendan Fagan Attendant St. Loman s Hospital, Mullingar EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE SERVICE Supporting the health and welfare needs of our staff REMEMBER THIS IS YOUR SERVICE! 15 If you are experiencing personal or work related problems, please feel free to contact: Telephone: Freephone: employee.assistance@mhb.ie

17 16 GLOWING TRIBUTES TO DENIS DOHERTY Denis Doherty s long and distinguished career as CEO of the Midland Health Board was recalled when staff representing all of the Board s services gathered at a function organised by the staff of the Board to pay tribute to the Donegal native. Mr Doherty resigned from his post as CEO of the Midland Health Board on February 28 to take up a new position as the first Director of the Health Boards Executive. Glowing tributes were paid to Mr Doherty for his stewardship of the health board during his 21 years at the helm by colleagues, politicians and health board personnel. His career in the public service, stretching back to 1962 when he joined Donegal County Council as a clerical officer, was traced by the newly appointed CEO of the Midland Health Board Mr John Cregan. Hundreds of colleagues from the worlds of politics, medicine and the Midland Health Board packed into the Tullamore Court Hotel for the function which continued into the early hours of Friday morning. Speaking at the outset of formalities, John Cregan wished Mr Doherty well in his new and challenging role as Director of the Health Board Executive. He has always used his position to give a voice to the vulnerable said Mr Cregan who also recalled his voluntary work for APT and the local Lions Club. Senator Camillus Glynn, Chairman of the Midland Health Board, recalled that he had joined the health board in 1980, just a few months after Mr Doherty Vision Leadership, Professionalism describe his career had been appointed CEO. Describing Mr Doherty as very capable Senator Glynn said he was a man of great feeling and compassion. He said that an indication of the esteem that Mr Doherty was held in was proved by the fact that he was CEO of two health boards for a number of years, the Midland and Mid Western Health Boards. Senator Glynn recalled that Mr Doherty had shown great leadership and vision during the rationalisation of the hospital services in the 1980 s. He said that during that period Mr Doherty has championed the cause of regional specialities in different hospitals and, as a result, the Midlands now enjoyed an excellent hospital service. In the past number of years Mr Doherty has brought new services on stream but has still lived with in the allocated budget, said the Senator. He pointed out that the Regional School of Nursing, established during Mr Doherty s term as CEO, was now one of the Board s flagship projects. Larry Bane, Director of Professional Standards and External Relations, said that a number of people Mr Doherty recruited as the Board s Personnel Officer in the 1970 s were still with the Board. He added that Mr Doherty has always maintained a strong interest in the areas of staff welfare and development. M Bane said that he had received a call from the former Health Minister, Dr Rory O Hanlon who described Mr Doherty as a top drawer man. Dr Jim Quinlan, speaking on behalf of Midland General Practitioners, said that Mr Doherty had always been receptive to a good idea and borrowing a phase from GAA parlance he added he was one of the all time greats. Mairead Hogan, representing the nursing profession in the region, said that Mr Doherty had played a key role in the establishment of the Midland Regional School of Nursing - which she described as a blueprint for the profession for years to come. Retired consultant and current health board member, Dr John Taaffe, said Mr Doherty had served the board extremely well during his 21 year tenure. He praised Mr Doherty for his accountability, accessibility and professionalism. Dr Taaffe outlined how Mr Mr. John Cregan, Chief Executive Officer, on behalf of the staff, making a presentation of a painting, by Laois Artist Gemma Guihan, to Denis Doherty, with Senator Camillus Glynn, Chairman and Mr. Larry Bane, Director of Professional Standards and External Relations. Doherty steered the Board through difficult times and could sell a difficult message very well. He joked that Mr Doherty was an Irish version of that consummate civil servant, Sir Humphrey from the cult TV comedy series, Yes Minister. Dr Pat Doorley, Director of Public Health and Planning, said that the Board had benefited greatly from Mr Doherty s strong leadership. He noted that his most recent challenge had been to ensure that the Board got its fair share of resources from the Celtic Tiger. Denis has brought a strong intellectual rigour to the management of the Board, said Dr Doorley. He noted that Mr Doherty believed in providing a With Denis at the function, back row (l to r): Niamh O Toole, Laura Smyth, Mellissa Canny, Dr. Phil Jennings. Front row: Majella Robinson, Mary Carmody, Rosarie Mannion and Ann Kearney. health service on the basis of equity and social inclusion rather than for those who shouted the loudest. Dr Doorley said that the former CEO had encouraged people to question existing standards. Derry O Dwyer, retired Deputy CEO, praised Mr Doherty for his love of the Irish language. He predicted that the Health Board Executive would prosper under Mr Doherty s leadership. Speaking from the audience, Siobhan Keogh said that Mr Doherty had steered the Board s child care services through a very traumatic stage. Thanking all who had organised the tribute night, Denis Doherty said he was glad to see a number of health board staff present who had been with the organisation since he first joined in He recalled incentives he had introduced as Personnel Officer in the 1970 s in a bid to recruit Speech Therapists and retain them in the area. Mr Doherty also recalled the personal assistants who had served him so well during his time as CEO, Ms Sadie Hogan, Veronica Carr, Josephine Ridney, Triona Brown and Siobhan Regan. He also paid tribute to the Sisters of Mercy for the role they had played in the provision of hospital services in the Midlands from the mid 1800 s onwards. Mr Doherty noted that the health board s staff was 70% female and welcomed steps to ensure that women were represented at management level. He also paid tribute to his wife, Mary and daughters, Denise and Brege for all their support throughout his career. Mr Doherty thanked the people who had served as Deputy CEO s during his tenure, P. J. Fitzpatrick, Derry O Dwyer and John Cregan and said he could think of nobody in the services more worthy to succeed him that Mr Cregan. Referring in particular to the Board s staff, Mr Doherty said one of the things he was proudest of was to have worked with so many talented staff. The staff worked to a common purpose and that is why the Midland Health Board was so highly regarded in the health care system, he added. Concluding Mr Cregan thanked the Board s library staff who under the direction of Dymphna Bracken and Larry Bane complied a book of highlights of events in the Board over the last 20 years presented to Mr Doherty by Senator Camillus Glynn, chairman; Liam Nestor and Louise Cooney for the Powerpoint pictorial highlights of Mr Doherty s time with the Board on screen on the night. The organising committee; Siobhan Regan, Trevor O Callaghan, Larry Bane, Dymphna Bracken and Mary Culliton and John Crowe and P J Smith who provided their usual high standard of musical entertainment on the night. At the function (l to r): Liam O Callaghan, Pat O Dowd, Dorrie Mangan, Denis Doherty, Mary Delaney and Trevor O Callaghan. imperial print