An Bord Altranais hosted a celebration of 50 years of regulating Intellectual Disability nursing at its premises in Blackrock on 22 September. The celebration included an academic seminar which was followed by a ceremony to unveil a specially commissioned tapestry by the clients of Kilcloon.
The focus of the seminar was Intellectual Disability Nursing, from the past to the present. Dr. John Sweeney, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork gave a presentation entitled, “Early origins of the Regulation of the Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability in Ireland 1919-2009.” Dr Sweeney provided a comprehensive overview of the developments within Intellectual Disability Nursing over the past fifty years, with an emphasis on the role of the nursing regulatory body on these developments (1).
Ms. Ciara O’Keefe, Clinical Nurse Manager, St Vincent’s Centre, Navan Road, Dublin 7 is the first Registered Nurse Prescriber in Intellectual Disability and gave a very interesting overview on “The Introduction of Nurse Prescribing into an Intellectual Disability Service. “ She described the main requirements for this expanded role both for herself and her organisation. She explained what the role of prescribing entailed in practice and highlighted the benefits for her clients.
Guests were then invited with the clients and staff from Kilcloon to join in the ceremony to mark the special occasion. The ceremony was opened with an address by the President of An Bord Altranais, Mrs. Anne Carrigy who gave a detailed account to the background of the tapestry and warmly acknowledged the participation of the team in Kilcloon for their inspiring, motivating and uplifting art. She said that “In its permanent position in the front foyer it will serve as a reminder of our privileged relationship with those who require nursing services.“
Ms. Mary Davis, Managing Director, Special Olympics Ireland/Eurasia addressed the gathering and unveiled the tapestry. Ms. Davis paid tribute to the Registered Nurses in Intellectual Disability who in her experience always went beyond the call of duty in their care of clients. Thanks was extended to the staff of Stewarts Hospital including Ms. Maura O’Donovan, CEO, Mr Pat O’Donoghue, Manager of Kilcloon and Ms. Sharon Collins, Project Director. A special thanks was extended to Ms. Mary O’Reilly who unfortunately was unable to attend, for her direction to the project at its inception. Tribute was then paid to each of the clients of Kilcloon, thanking them for all their hard work and dedication. A small token of the Boards appreciation was then presented by Mrs Anne Carrigy to each of the clients.
References:
(1) John Sweeney and Duncan Mitchell (2009) A Challenge to Nursing: An Historical Review of Intellectual Disability Nursing in the UK and Ireland. Journal of Clinical Nursing 18 (19), 2754-2763
(2) Ciara O’Keefe Powerpoint Presentation (download below)
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